Food Empire expands in Central Asia with new facility in Kazakhstan

It aims to meet the growing demand for instant beverages in the region.

Food Empire Holdings Limited has secured a 10-hectare plot in the Khorgos Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kazakhstan to build its first coffee-mix production facility in Central Asia. 

With an initial investment of $30m, the facility will cover half the plot, allowing room for future expansion. Located in one of Kazakhstan's SEZs, it will benefit from various tax incentives.

Food Empire anticipates receiving regulatory approvals by June 2024, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Once operational, the facility will produce coffee-mix sachets under the group’s various brands, including the flagship MacCoffee brand, sold in over 60 countries. 

Additionally, the facility is projected to create 300 new jobs for the local Kazakh community.

The announcement was made by Tan Wang Cheow, executive chairman of Food Empire, at the Kazakhstan-Singapore Business Forum on 23 May. 

The forum, co-sponsored by the group, was attended by the Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, president of Kazakhstan, and Heng Swee Keat, deputy prime minister of Singapore.

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“The new facility will enable us to meet the rising demand for our instant coffee sachets that are sold under various brands across our core markets where we enjoy strong brand equity and market share,” said Sudeep Nair, chief executive officer of Food Empire.

“ As we continue to engage our customers through brand building activities and as our R&D efforts lead to new product launches, we believe we can expand our global reach and presence even more,” he added.

The new facility will be Food Empire’s ninth manufacturing plant, joining others across Asia and Eastern Europe.