Kazakhstan plans to build a sugar factory with the capacity to process 1 million tons of cane a year in Zhambyl region. K-Agro Holding and Baiterek Holding are expected to develop the project presented at the Government’s meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, TheCentral.Asia learnt from the Government’s press service.
The factory is projected to process some 8-10,000 tons a day to crush 1 million tons of sugar beets and produce 130,000 tons of sugar a year.
In addition, modernization is underway at the existing sugar mills to increase processing capabilities. All this will help Kazakhstan gradually reduce sugar import dependency and start sugar beets processed goods production. Currently, Kazakhstan has four sugar factories with a total capacity to process 8,700 tons of sugar beets and 2,400 tons of raw cane sugar.
Last year domestic sugar consumption made 507,000 tons. The country’s bulk needs are covered by refined sugar imports from the EAEU countries and raw cane sugar processing.