Russian company sets up agrochemical production near Samarkand, Uzbekistan

The Shchelkovo Agrokhim company has announced plans to produce agrochemical preparations in Uzbekistan, with some of the joint venture’s products being exported to neighboring countries. The Russian-Uzbek joint venture, Shchelkovo Agrohim Uzbekistan, is located in the Urgut free economic zone in the Samarkand region and held its opening ceremony on November 17. The new plant is expected to provide jobs for over 100 people and produce more than 20 thousand tons of plant protection chemicals annually.

A significant portion of the production will be exported, including to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The enterprise has received investments exceeding $30 million and has been granted tax benefits for a maximum period of ten years as a result of this. Construction of the plant began in 2017, with plans to create three production lines at a cost of $2 million. However, the cost of the project increased to $3 million by the beginning of 2019, and the launch date was postponed multiple times, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shchelkovo Agrokhim is a major player in the Russian agrochemical market, with a production capacity of 50 thousand tons of products per year. The company was established in its current form in 1998 and boasts a portfolio of 465 drugs and more than 100 patents for its developments.

The joint venture’s expansion into Uzbekistan represents a significant milestone for the company, as it seeks to bolster its presence in the region and increase its export capabilities to neighboring countries. With the completion of the new plant, Shchelkovo Agrokhim is poised to make a significant impact in the Uzbek and Central Asian markets.