Kazakhstan launches potato cultivation for Lay’s chips

Kazakh agricultural company Altyn Dan, with the participation of international corporation PepsiCo, has started cultivating a potato variety for producing Lay’s chips in the Raiymbek district of the Almaty region, as reported by the regional governor’s office.  

Altyn Dan was established as a service center in 2023. The company is currently cultivating potatoes on 150 hectares using a drip irrigation system. In addition, 1,500 hectares are seeded with cereals this season.

«The company has signed a partnership agreement with the international company PepsiCo and is conducting tests on imported seeds specifically intended for the production of potato chips. Agriculturists and specialists are working on ensuring product quality,» the governor’s office said in a statement.

Harvested potatoes are expected to be delivered to processing enterprises in the city of Almaty and the Almaty region. However, delivery volumes and a timeline for launching industrial processing have not yet been specified.  

Currently, more than 20 people work for Altyn Dan full time, with around 20 units of equipment operating in the fields.

In late May, Kursiv.media reported that PepsiCo was set to nearly double its investment in a new Lay’s chips plant in the Almaty region from the initially planned $160 million in 2024, with the first batch of products scheduled for production in 2026.