Tyson Foods plans to build beef processing plant in Kazakhstan

Tyson Fresh Meats, the beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, has revealed plans to build a new production facility in Kazakhstan.

The company has signed an agreement with the government of Kazakhstan and private holding company Kusto Group to collaborate on a project that, in its initial phase could lead to the construction of a beef processing plant with an anticipated harvest capacity of 2,000 head per day.

Tyson Foods officials have travelled to Kazakhstan, and the country’s prime minister, Askar Mamin, has been to the US to visit Tyson’s headquarters in Arkansas.

“We’re pleased to execute an agreement with the government of Kazakhstan and partner with Kusto,” said Steve Stouffer, group president Tyson Fresh Meats. “This opportunity supports one of our growth strategies to expand Tyson’s global business, and we look forward to bringing our expertise and capabilities to the country of Kazakhstan.”

Prime Minister Mamin added: “Tyson is a world-class company with the expertise necessary to help Kazakhstan jump-start the transformation of our agro-protein capabilities and help us create an ecosystem that will increase our beef herd size and establish conditions to support thousands of new high-quality jobs in the country. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial collaboration.”

Kusto Group, based in Singapore, has a subsidiary focused on beef production located in Kazakhstan. “At Kusto, we believe in the tremendous potential of Kazakhstan to transform into a global agricultural player, helping provide first-class products for consumers around the world,” said Yerkin Tatishev, chairman of the board of directors, Kusto Group. “Together with Tyson Foods, we are taking a first step in that direction today with our beef operations and look forward to getting underway.”

Tyson Fresh Meats currently operates beef plants in Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Texas and Washington. The company’s beef business generated $15.8 billion in sales in fiscal year 2019.