Iran's Solico to build $66mn cheese plant in Kazakhstan

Iranian food group Solico will build a large cheese-making plant in Kazakhstan's Almaty region under an investment agreement worth KZT35.2bn ($66mn), the Ministry of Agriculture announced June 12, citing the national chamber of entrepreneurs. The deal deepens trade and economic ties between Kazakhstan and Iran, and follows a framework cooperation agreement signed in December 2025 during the Iranian president's visit to the Central Asian country. Astana is courting foreign investors to expand value-added food processing as part of its economic diversification strategy.