New Potato Storage Site Opens in West Kazakhstan

Key Highlight

A 3,600-ton potato storage site opened near Akzhaik sanatorium.
West Agro Food built it in three months with private funds and a low-rate loan.
The firm aims to raise yields and add processing in the future.
Regional leaders say new storage sites will help maintain prices year-round.

A new potato storage site that can hold 3,600 tons has opened near the Akzhaik sanatorium in the Terekty district. West Agro Food built the site in three months, marking a fresh step for farming in West Kazakhstan. Local officials and farm leaders say the project will help support year-round supply and ease price swings.

Fast work and constant growth

West Agro Food grew most of the crops stored in the new site. The firm has been planting potatoes for three years and now irrigates about 230 hectares. This season, potatoes were planted on 180 hectares and reached yields of around 30 tons per hectare. The team hopes to reach 45–50 tons with better tools and methods.

The company plans to add another 120 hectares next year and build a second 3,500-ton storage site. Its long-term aim is to move into processing, turning raw crops into finished food items.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel

Supply across Kazakhstan and beyond

West Agro Food now has its own buyer network. Potatoes are shipped across Kazakhstan, including Atyrau, Aktobe, Aktau and Shymkent. Smaller potatoes are sent to Uzbekistan, where they match local taste. The firm says the region still depends heavily on imports, which became clear last year when a shortfall in Russia led to higher prices at home.

At the moment, the firm runs two storage sites with a combined capacity of more than 5,000 tons. About 3,000 tons are now in storage. The team includes local workers, full-time staff and seasonal help. Yields have risen each year, moving from 10 tons per hectare in the first year to 30 tons this year.

Also read: Why Food Manufacturers Are Picking Potato Starch

Why the new site matters for the region

Local leaders say the new storage site will help protect supply during the off-season and keep prices in check. A second large project, owned by OralAgro, will open next year with an 8,000-ton capacity. Some farms are also building sites with their own funds.

The regional agricultural department says more than 50 billion tenge in support has gone to farms this year, including loans and subsidies. The region now has 30 storage sites with a total of 65,000 tons of space. Plans call for developing 3,000 hectares of new land in three years to meet rising demand.

The new storage site marks another step in helping farms keep crops fresh and prices stable. More sites will open soon, which may help the region meet its needs without relying on imports.