Food industry - The Times Of Central Asia

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Startups

How Kyrgyzstan’s Fastest-Growing Restaurant Tech Startup Is Revolutionizing Dining

Bishkek has long been known for its vibrant restaurant scene. Now the sector is implementing innovations, making the lives of its customers even easier. Meet Pai, the Kyrgyz startup serving as a digital concierge between restaurants and their customers. “In Kazakhstan, I saw a product where you could pay your bill right at your table with two taps and leave without interacting with the staff. That's when I realized you could build a whole world around this, turning every interaction between a guest and an establishment into a digital experience,” says Ehrlan Zholdosh, CEO and Co-Founder of Pai. Zholdosh is not a newcomer to the industry; his experience in product design and management in Eastern Europe and the Middle East was an asset when launching his own company, Pai. Old Habits Die Hard It’s a universal restaurant experience around the globe when you’re done with your meal and ready for the check – it can take an age to come, and that’s if you can find waitstaff in the first place. Now, with Pai, which essentially turns every table into a payment terminal, this process has been streamlined to the point where it takes only seconds to pay and even leave a tip. The very first MVP (minimum viable product) was launched in Mar 2024. This is when Aibek Nogoev joined as a Co-Founder to completely overhaul the technical side of the product. The co-founder’s team has complementary skillsets — the third Co-Founder, Kairygul Kalbaeva, has over ten years of experience in the restaurant business, which came in handy when onboarding the first customers, as she understands how restaurants operate inside out. As for the Pai team, the majority of its members were hired in ololoPlanet, one of the locations of ololo, the largest chain of tech hubs in Central Asia, where Pai has its offices. Apart from enabling customers to pay faster and more smoothly, Pai aims to build a restaurant super-app that integrates with the ERP systems restaurants use, including customizable loyalty programs. Another strategic benefit for restaurants using Pai is a non-invasive way to collect user data. The Snowball Effect In September, Pai won first place in the country’s largest hackathon, Startup Nation. It may have been tough to onboard customers at the beginning of Pai’s journey, but now there are over 70 active restaurants and more than 100 in the waitlist, with hundreds of thousands of users and a daily turnover in excess of $20,000. Recent changes to Kyrgyz tax legislation linked to the efforts to make the restaurant industry less opaque have been a massive boost as well. The authorities are trying to combat the shadow economy, pushing businesses, including restaurants, to become significantly more transparent, and many in the restaurant industry see Pai as the best solution. Its customer base now includes the majority of the largest restaurant chains in the Kyrgyz Republic, including global franchises. The key challenge lies in its integration with ERP systems, which delivery services usually don’t integrate with. Pai...

Food industry

Kyrgyzstan Grows Toward Food Security with Surplus Potato and Carrot Harvests

The Kyrgyz government is stepping up efforts to ensure food security and stabilize prices for socially important goods, including staple vegetables such as potatoes and carrots. In response to rising prices, the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry has decided to maintain existing potato crop volumes while expanding carrot cultivation. According to the ministry, the active open-field growing season is currently underway. In 2025, potato planting areas reached over 64,000 hectares, with a projected harvest exceeding 1.1 million tons. Domestic demand is estimated at approximately 760,000 tons annually, allowing for surplus exports. However, the ministry cautioned farmers against indiscriminately expanding potato acreage in pursuit of higher profits, warning that an oversupply could depress prices and reduce incomes. “To prevent unjustified price increases for socially significant products, the Ministry of Agriculture continues to monitor market prices daily. If risks of domestic shortages arise due to excessive exports or speculative practices by intermediaries, temporary export restrictions will be considered,” the ministry stated. Amid recent price surges for carrots, the government has expanded carrot cultivation by 223 hectares in the Chui region. “The second carrot harvest will ensure a stable domestic supply and help contain price increases,” said Agriculture Minister Bakyt Torobaev. The ministry attributes the current price increases to heightened demand for Kyrgyz vegetables from member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and neighboring countries. Uzbekistan remains the largest importer of Kyrgyz potatoes. In 2024, Kyrgyz exports to Uzbekistan doubled to 68,500 tons, prompting state intervention and temporary export restrictions to prevent domestic shortages and inflation. In addition to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan annually exports over 10,000 tons of potatoes to Kazakhstan, as well as smaller volumes to Russia and Azerbaijan.

steppe spirit Culture Kazakhstan Food Almaty Food industry ice-cream kazakh flavors UMAMI

Ice Cream Flavored with Kurt, Tara, and Balkaymak Presented in Almaty

An Almaty-based company, UMAMI, has launched a new line of ice cream inspired by traditional Kazakh flavors. The collection features three distinct varieties: kurt, tary, and balkaymak. Balkaymak is a rich, creamy dessert, sometimes prepared with flour and honey, and typically served warm alongside bread or pastries. Tary refers to roasted millet, a staple often enjoyed with tea. Kurt is a protein and mineral-rich dried fermented milk product, deeply rooted in Kazakh culinary heritage. UMAMI’s project aims not only to surprise the palate but also to integrate national gastronomy into a modern context, creating what the team hopes will become a new symbol of Kazakh culture. “You'll find it interesting in your mouth,” promises brand co-founder and technologist Oksana Kim-Flayosk. A Flavor Journey in Every Scoop Among the standout offerings is the cream kurt ice cream, made using authentic kurt. The UMAMI team sampled dozens of variations from different producers before selecting the ideal base. The flavor unfolds in stages: a brackish start, followed by a sour note, and ending in a sweet finish. To elevate the experience, UMAMI recommends serving the kurt ice cream in a baursak, a traditional Kazakh fried dough delicacy. Kim-Flayosk likens this combination to a local version of the Italian dessert maritozzo, where a sweet bun is filled with cream. “We put a ball of ice cream in the baursak, and that's our national version of maritozzo,” she explained. While all three flavors were tested in baursaks, kurt was the undisputed favorite among tasters. Nauryz Roots and Steppe Spirit The Tary & Talkan flavor, originally created for the Nauryz holiday five years ago, was so well received that it earned a permanent spot in UMAMI’s lineup. The recipe combines black tea infused with milk, roasted millet ground into talkan, and a dairy base, evoking the spirit of the Kazakh steppe. The third offering, Balkaymak & Irimshik, is rich and textured, featuring bits of irimshik (a type of curd) to accentuate the contrast between its caramel and creamy elements. “I wanted there to be texture, to be able to chew. First creamy, then caramel, and then creamy again,” said Kim-Flayosk. Prior to finalizing the recipe, UMAMI conducted a public survey to better understand what balkaymak means to different people. Responses varied widely, from cream skimmed from spring milk to a boiled mixture of sour cream, flour, and sugar. Modernizing Tradition Kim-Flayosk emphasized UMAMI’s commitment to preserving and popularizing Kazakh culinary identity. “We are a local brand. We see society’s interest in traditions and want to be part of a culture that popularizes Kazakhstani products,” she said. The company plans to launch souvenir boxes featuring all three flavors in the coming month, offering a gastronomic symbol of Kazakhstan to locals and tourists alike. Non-standard ice cream flavors are increasingly part of a global trend. Around the world, producers are experimenting with combinations like mustard and dill, eel, black pepper, garlic, chili, and even beer. In this diverse international context, UMAMI’s Kazakhstani creations stand out not just for...

Food industry

Turkmenistan Bets on Dairy Industry and Coffee Business

Turkmenistan is ramping up its investments in the food processing sector, with two prominent companies announcing major expansions in the dairy and coffee industries. The developments were unveiled during an exhibition marking the 17th anniversary of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. Erkin Agro Launches Dairy Expansion with European Cattle Erkin Agro, a member of the Union, announced plans to construct a large-scale milk processing plant and associated livestock farms. Deputy Director General Begench Chariev shared the news at the exhibition. The company is finalizing its business plan and preparing to procure dairy cattle from Europe. Representatives will soon travel to Germany, Hungary, and the Netherlands to negotiate with suppliers. The initial phase involves importing 300 to 400 cows, with a total of 2,000 head planned. The first shipment is expected by the end of spring, with a second to follow in the fall. The project emphasizes environmental sustainability. Erkin Agro is adopting organic farming practices and minimizing the use of chemicals, including fertilizers and pesticides. These efforts aim to ensure not only high-quality dairy products but also ecologically responsible livestock operations. NesilCoffee Ventures into Freeze-Dried Coffee Meanwhile, entrepreneur Tedjenmurat Bayramdurdyev, owner of NesilCoffee, announced the company’s entry into premium coffee production with the launch of a freeze-dried coffee line. The announcement was made during the same exhibition, according to Business Turkmenistan. Freeze-dried coffee, considered a high-end product, is made through lyophilization, a process in which frozen coffee is vacuum-dried to preserve its flavor, aroma, and nutrients. This method distinguishes it from standard instant coffee, which is produced via spray drying. The new production facility is located in Ak-Bugday etrap, Ahal province. Outfitted with Italian and German equipment, the plant sources coffee beans from Europe, Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. NesilCoffee manages its own Arabica–Robusta blend ratios and monitors quality through an in-house laboratory. Currently, the company produces five varieties of whole-bean coffee (Espresso, Intenso, Classic, La Crema, Special) and four types of instant coffee (Caramel Latte, Vanilla Latte, Coffee Latte, and Cappuccino). The production process adheres to ISO 9001, ISO 22000, and Halal standards. The facility has an annual production capacity of 4,000 tons, with plans to scale up to 10,000 tons. Growing Food Industry Since launching one of Central Asia’s largest coffee plants in 2024, NesilCoffee has secured a leading position in the domestic market and is now pursuing export opportunities. These developments reflect a broader national strategy to diversify and strengthen Turkmenistan’s food sector. With investments in livestock and high-quality food processing, companies like Erkin Agro and NesilCoffee are positioning Turkmen business for sustainable, internationally competitive growth.

Agricultural Produce

Kazakhstan Plans to Launch Olive Oil Production by 2030

Kazakhstan is set to launch its first olive oil production plant by 2030, marking a significant step in introducing olive cultivation to the country. The Ministry of Agriculture announced that QVM Technology is spearheading the ambitious project in partnership with local and international collaborators. In 2023, QVM Technology joined forces with Ordabasy Group, Ervira (Kazakhstan), and Georgia's Olive Georgia to undertake experimental olive tree planting in the Zhetysu, Turkestan, and Mangistau regions of Kazakhstan. The initial planting involved 6,080 saplings, boasting a remarkable 99.7% survival rate. The first harvest from these trees is anticipated in five years. In the spring of 2024, additional saplings, sourced from Spain and Turkey, were planted. By the end of 2025, the project aims to expand olive cultivation to 1,000 hectares. The initiative is being carried out under the scientific guidance of Pablo Morello, a professor at the University of Córdoba in Spain. Soil, climate, and meteorological data are being meticulously collected and analyzed to ensure optimal conditions for olive cultivation. The project also draws on expertise from Georgian specialists, reflecting a broader effort to establish an olive oil industry in Kazakhstan. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported on Georgia’s support in developing Kazakhstan’s olive production capabilities.

Agriculture

Central Asia Prioritizes Food Security Amid Shared Challenges

Food security remains a top priority for Central Asian nations, yet they face shared challenges that threaten regional stability. Deteriorating water resources, climate change, reliance on external food markets, and geopolitical pressures have intensified the need for regional cooperation in addressing these issues. Bilateral and Regional Efforts Talks between the presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on August 8 underscored the importance of collaboration. The two leaders witnessed the signing of an agricultural cooperation agreement between their respective ministries. This followed Tokayev’s November 2022 visit to Tashkent, which was particularly productive in advancing food security. Agreements included joint production of mineral fertilizers and a bilateral cooperation program worth $1.3 billion aimed at boosting mutual trade and developing agricultural projects. Trade within Central Asia has grown significantly, with Uzbekistan’s trade volume with its neighbors nearly doubling between 2017 and 2019. Kazakhstan, the region’s leading grain supplier, plays a central role: • Uzbekistan accounts for 60% of Kazakhstan’s grain exports. • Tajikistan consumes 18%. • Kyrgyzstan takes 14%. • Turkmenistan absorbs 6%. Despite this growth, experts highlight the untapped potential for expanding trade and cooperation in agriculture. Common Challenges Food security challenges are compounded by shared threats, including demographic growth and dwindling water resources. The region’s population has reached 75.5 million, while irrigated land per capita has decreased by more than 25% over the past 15 years. Water availability in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins—crucial for irrigating 10 million hectares - faces a projected 15% decline. This is exacerbated by the alarming retreat of glaciers that feed these rivers, jeopardizing long-term agricultural sustainability. The Need for Regional Solutions While each Central Asian country primarily relies on its resources to address food security, the interconnected nature of these challenges calls for a collective approach. Enhanced regional cooperation is essential to develop resilient agricultural systems, manage water resources effectively, and ensure sustainable growth in food production.