Danone plans to expand its production capacity in Kazakhstan by 2025, enhancing its range of fermented dairy products. This move follows discussions between Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture and the French Ambassador on boosting agricultural cooperation and trade.
Danone, a global leader in dairy and plant-based products, is set to expand its production capacity in Kazakhstan by 2025. This decision comes amid discussions between Aidarbek Saparov, the Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, and Sylvain Giguet, the French Ambassador to Kazakhstan, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector.
During their meeting, the officials highlighted the importance of increasing mutual trade volumes, which reached $67 million in the agricultural sector in the first eight months of 2024. This notable growth includes a nearly sixfold increase in Kazakhstan’s exports to France, primarily driven by rising shipments of rapeseed seeds.
In Kazakhstan, Danone operates a facility producing over 50 types of fermented dairy products, with 40% of these goods exported to markets in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Mongolia. The upcoming expansion will involve the installation of a new production line, valued at 730 million tenge, aimed at boosting local output and meeting growing demand.
The discussions also touched on changes to veterinary requirements for the export of small ruminants, a collaborative project to enhance Kazakh livestock through artificial insemination with French cattle semen, and efforts to localize seed production by the French company Limagrain. Additionally, the potential for exporting Kazakh horse meat to France was considered.
This strategic expansion not only underscores Danone’s commitment to the region but also reflects Kazakhstan’s growing role as a key player in international agricultural trade.
