The state is putting a herbicide production plant in the Kostanay region up for auction for the second year in a row. The starting price of the asset remains at 1.2 billion tenge, but a year ago no buyers were found for it.
WHY LAST YEAR'S AUCTION DID NOT TAKE PLACE
As reported by Hunn.kz, in 2025 the auction was announced in September, but not a single potential buyer submitted a bid. As a result, the auction was declared void due to the absence of participants.
In 2026, the procedure is being carried out again. Bids are being accepted until 15 October, and the auction itself is scheduled for 20 October. The auction will take place on the electronic platform gosreestr.kz.
WHAT THE ASSET PUT UP FOR SALE INCLUDES
A production complex that specialised in the manufacture of chemical plant protection products has been put up for auction. The lot includes production buildings, warehouse premises and technological equipment.
The area of the land plot exceeds 4 hectares, and the depreciation of fixed assets is estimated at 65%. The starting price is 1.2 billion tenge, and the auction increment is 12 million tenge.
WHEN THE PLANT CEASED PRODUCTION
The enterprise was built in the 1980s. Initially, it produced 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and other herbicides for agriculture.
In the 2010s, production was halted, and the property was transferred to the state's balance sheet. Since then, the plant has not been operating. Some of the equipment was dismantled or lost.
WHY BUYERS HAVE NOT YET SUBMITTED BIDS
The organisers note that potential investors had shown interest in the site, but no official bids were received.
Among the factors cited in the accompanying documents for the lot is the need for additional investment in modernising and restoring the production lines.
UNDER WHICH PROGRAMME THE ENTERPRISE IS BEING SOLD
According to the Ministry of Finance, similar assets in the chemical industry are being put up for auction under the privatisation plan for 2024–2025.
In total, the list includes more than 700 facilities of republican and municipal property. About 40% of them belong to the industrial sector.
WHAT SIGNIFICANCE THE PLANT HAS FOR THE HERBICIDE MARKET
Kazakhstan annually imports herbicides worth more than $300 million. The main suppliers are named as China, Russia and Germany.
In 2023, the volume of herbicides applied to the republic's fields amounted to about 18 thousand tonnes of active ingredient. The restoration of domestic production of plant protection products is regarded in industry programmes as one of the ways to reduce dependence on imports.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE ASSET IF THERE IS NO BUYER
The results of the new auction are to be announced on the day it is held. If a buyer is again not identified, the asset may be transferred to the municipal ownership of the Kostanay region or put up again at a reduced price.