Iranian Solico Group to Establish Major Cheese Plant in Kazakhstan
The Iranian food conglomerate Solico Group is set to construct a substantial cheese manufacturing facility in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region, following an investment agreement valued at KZT35.2 billion ($66 million). According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, this initiative aims to deepen the trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and Iran.
The agreement was formalized by Kazakh Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov and Solico Group President Gholam Ali Soleimani. The new plant will have an annual production capacity of 155,000 tonnes, with construction and installation activities already underway.
Saparov emphasized the importance of attracting strategic investors in agricultural processing, noting a 13.1% increase in cheese and cottage cheese production in Kazakhstan in 2025. He highlighted that the project would not only expand processing capacity but also ensure a stable market for local milk producers.
Soleimani highlighted Kazakhstan's favorable investment climate and its agricultural potential, expressing interest in further projects such as potato processing and baby-food production. The agreement includes a package of state incentives, such as the provision of engineering infrastructure to support the project.
The construction of the cheese plant is scheduled for completion in 2029, with the commitment from the investor to create at least 400 permanent jobs. Additionally, Solico Group plans to invest approximately KZT50 million annually in social initiatives in the Almaty region from 2028 to 2038.
Solico Group, which began as a small meat-products business in Tehran in the 1970s, has grown into one of Iran's largest food conglomerates, diversifying into dairy, ice cream, beverages, and regional distribution. The company has been increasingly focusing on establishing overseas production hubs, including significant investments in the UAE and Russia.
