Fufeng Group's corn deep-processing project in Kazakhstan's Zhambyl region is now running. The first phase took $350 million and can process 500,000 tonnes of corn a year. Under the plan, a second phase would need another $1.15 billion and lift throughput to 3 million tonnes a year.
On 25 September, at the Kazakhstan–China Investment Forum in Almaty, the main hall was linked by video to the production site in Zhambyl for the start-up ceremony, which also launched construction of the wider industrial park. The Akorda press service release and Fufeng Group's own statement describe the date and format the same way. The regional akim attended on site.
The local operating company is Shengtai Biotech. According to the company, it is Fufeng's first production base outside China.
Together the two phases come to roughly $1.5 billion. Officials say about 1,500 jobs will be created once the project is complete, giving Kazakhstan a full chain from corn to deep-processed products.
Those figures differ markedly from the original plan. When work began in April 2025, Kazakh Invest cited $800 million of investment and 1 million tonnes of corn a year, with lysine, monosodium glutamate, xanthan gum and feed amino acids in the product line. DKNews also compared the old and new numbers: the investment ceiling rose from $800 million to $1.5 billion and final capacity from 1 million to 3 million tonnes.
Chinese companies in Kazakhstan may want to watch a few points.
Rules related to this news
Feedstock. The first phase needs about 500,000 tonnes of corn a year, and the company has said publicly it wants to work with local farmers and expand plantings. Seed, machinery, storage and grain-trading firms should keep an eye on contract-farming arrangements in the region.
Offtake. Amino acids and fermentation products are used in feed, food and pharmaceuticals. According to infohub.kz, it is Central Asia's first amino-acid plant; feed mills and food producers will now have another sourcing option. Supply terms need to be checked directly with the producer.
Phase-two timing. This is still only a plan: no start date or product list has been officially announced, so it should not be treated as a firm schedule.
Investment amounts and capacities in this article are planned figures published by the government and the company and do not constitute investment advice.
Sources:
哈萨克国际通讯社（据总统府新闻局），https://cn.inform.kz/news/donggongye-7298c79d/
哈萨克斯坦真理报，https://kazpravda.kz/n/zavod-po-glubokoy-pererabotke-kukuruzy-zapustili-v-zhambylskoy-oblasti/
星岛环球网（阜丰集团动态），https://www.stnn.cc/detail/6ab753af158f681db431be3c.html
infohub.kz，https://infohub.kz/zh-cn/article/kazakhstan-zhambyl-tokaev-kukuruz-investitsii
Kazakh Invest，https://invest.gov.kz/media-center/press-releases/fufeng-group-launches-construction-of-corn-deep-processing-plant-in-zhambyl-region/
DKNews，https://dknews.kz/ru/politika/405913-tokaev-dal-start-krupnomu-proektu-na-1-5-mlrd
Key facts
- Fufeng's Phase I corn deep-processing project in Zhambyl Region, Kazakhstan, commenced production via a video link on September 25.
- The project's Phase I involves an investment of USD 350 million and has an annual corn-processing capacity of 500,000 tonnes.
- Phase II is planned to involve an investment of USD 1.15 billion and increase annual processing capacity to 3 million tonnes.
- The project's local operating entity is 晟泰生物（Shengtai Biotech）, which the company describes as Fufeng's first production base established outside China.
- According to official sources, once fully completed, the project will create approximately 1,500 jobs and establish a complete production chain in Kazakhstan from corn to deep-processed products.
- When the project broke ground in April 2025, the plan announced by Kazakh Invest called for a total investment of USD 800 million and an annual corn-processing capacity of 1 million tonnes.
FAQ
What is the current status of Phase I of the project?
Phase I commenced production on September 25 through a video link between the main venue of the Almaty Investment Forum and the production site in Zhambyl Region. The investment is USD 350 million, and the annual corn-processing capacity is 500,000 tonnes.
When will construction of Phase II begin?
The planned investment of USD 1.15 billion for Phase II and the increase in annual processing capacity to 3 million tonnes remain merely plans. Neither the construction start date nor the product list has been officially announced, and the plan should not be treated as a confirmed timetable.
What is the project's product focus?
According to the plan announced by Kazakh Invest when the project broke ground in April 2025, the planned products are lysine, monosodium glutamate, xanthan gum, and feed-grade amino acids.
What opportunities should Chinese agricultural and related enterprises in Kazakhstan watch for?
Phase I requires an annual intake of 500,000 tonnes of corn. The company has publicly stated that it hopes to cooperate with farmers in the region and expand the planted area. Chinese companies involved in seed supply, agricultural machinery, storage, and grain trading should watch for subsequent contract-farming arrangements in Zhambyl Region.
Can downstream buyers source directly from the company?
Amino acid and fermentation products can be used in the feed, food, and pharmaceutical sectors. Once the new capacity comes online, feed mills and food companies will have an additional sourcing option, but specific supply terms must be confirmed directly with the company.