Kazakhstan to build $1.35B fertilizer plant to cut imports

Massive gas chemical facility to enhance domestic supply, create thousands of jobs

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan will build a $1.35 billion gas chemical plant to ramp up domestic fertilizer production, reduce reliance on imports, and expand exports.

 The facility, announced during a meeting between Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov and ESTA Construction CEO Mustafa Toprak on March 4, will produce 700,000 tonnes of urea and 42,000 tonnes of ammonia annually.

The plant will be located near the Kuryk seaport in the Mangystau Region, creating 3,000 temporary construction jobs and 400 permanent positions once operational, according to The Astana Times.

Bektenov emphasized the project’s importance in securing the country’s food supply and strengthening its agricultural sector.

“The president places great importance on strengthening the agro-industrial complex.

Last year’s record harvest showed our potential, and the government allocated 700 billion tenge ($1.4 billion) to support agrarians.

Ensuring affordable and high-quality mineral fertilizers is essential, making this project strategically important for both domestic needs and exports,” he said.

Kazakhstan, a major agricultural producer, currently meets just 56% of its 3.2-million-ton annual fertilizer demand, producing about 1.8 million tonnes.

The country relies on imports for ammonium nitrate, ammophos, and ammonium sulfate. The new plant is expected to close this gap and bolster the country’s agricultural supply chain.

Following the meeting, government authorities were directed to fast-track all necessary procedures, with a draft investment agreement between the state and ESTA Construction due within two weeks.