Barley processing plant in Azerbaijan costing $15 mln in planning stage

BAKU. Aug 8 (Interfax) - The first plant for producing processed barley and other raw materials for beer producers in Azerbaijan is planned for launch in Q4 2024, General Director of project participant Azersheker LLC, Anar Mehdiyev told reporters.

The ceremony for the launch of the plant's construction took place on Tuesday, Interfax reported. It will be built on the territory of the Imishli sugar plant.

"The cost of the project is 25 million manat [$14.7 million at the current exchange rate]. The plant is scheduled start operations in October-November 2024. At the first stage, production capacity will be 12,000 tonnes, and at the second stage, it will increase to 17,000 tonnes. 50 new jobs will be created at the plant," Mehdiyev said.

The launch of the plant will make it possible to provide local beer producers with raw materials in full, he said. In the future, the export of raw materials is planned. "Georgia is one of the major consumers, and proposals have also come in from Central Asian countries," he said.

The project participants are three companies: Azersheker and Azersun with shares of 38% each, as well as Azerbaijan Investment Company with a 24% share.

Azersheker was founded in 2017. It is engaged in the production of various types of agricultural products, and has investments in arable land in various regions of Azerbaijan.