PepsiCo India opens US$81.5M food plant in Assam
PepsiCo currently requires about 30,000 metric tons of potatoes annually, with demand projected to reach 70,000 tons by 2030.
INDIA – PepsiCo India has opened a US$81.5 million (Rs 778 crore) food plant in Assam, targeting 70,000 tons of potato sourcing by 2030, marking its first food facility in the state and fifth in India, according to the company.
The 44.2-acre facility will manufacture Lay’s and Uncle Chipps for markets across Northeast India and West Bengal, previously supplied by the company’s Bengal plant.
The plant has created about 700 direct and indirect jobs, with women accounting for over 75% of the workforce. According to the Assam government, approximately 120 women have also received specialized digital skills training.
Additionally, more than 5,000 farmers and their families are expected to benefit from the initiative, the Chief Minister said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the facility will strengthen Assam’s agricultural ecosystem by creating an organized market for potato growers. PepsiCo currently requires about 30,000 metric tons of potatoes annually, with demand projected to reach 70,000 tons by 2030.
“The inauguration of PepsiCo India’s food manufacturing facility in Nalbari is another important milestone in Assam’s industrial growth story,” Sarma added.
“Beyond generating employment and economic activity, the project will strengthen the state’s agricultural ecosystem and create new opportunities for farmers, women and local enterprises.”
Jagrut Kotecha, Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo India & South Asia, said Assam’s agricultural foundation and evolving infrastructure made it a natural choice for expansion. “Through this investment, we are strengthening our manufacturing footprint while creating a positive ripple effect across the value chain, from farmers and local businesses to women, young talent and communities,” Kotecha said.
To help farmers procure specialized potato seeds, the Assam government, PepsiCo and the State Bank of India have entered an understanding to facilitate financing through Kisan Credit Cards, according to the Chief Minister.
Moreover, the state is also planning a Rs 35-crore cold storage facility with a capacity of around 10,000 tonnes to strengthen the potato supply chain and reduce post-harvest losses.
The Nalbari plant forms part of PepsiCo’s Rs 5,700 crore (approx. US$594,065.97) investment commitment through 2030. The company is also setting up a plant in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, to widen its presence in South India, according to Business Standard.
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