Almaty Region is Kazakhstan's main vegetable-growing region. Proximity to a 4-million-person agglomeration, a warm climate, and active government investment create a favourable environment for building greenhouse complexes. In 2025, the volume of investment in the agro-industrial complex (AIC) of Almaty Region reached 178.2 billion tenge, and in 2026 seven major agro-projects totalling 44.6 billion tenge are planned. Let's look at how to build a greenhouse complex in the region.
178 bln ₸
AIC investment in Almaty Region in 2025
Kazakhstan's largest agro-industrial region by investment volume — Almaty Region akimat data
44.6 bln ₸
AIC investment in the region in 2026
7 agro-complex projects for 2026, including greenhouses and storage facilities
147 ha
KazAgro approved 41 greenhouses on 147 ha
production capacity: 63,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables per year, 33 of 41 already operational
from 23,500 ₸/m²
grain storage and agricultural hangar construction
in Almaty — base cost of an agricultural hangar turnkey (profi-dom.kz)
Types of Greenhouse Structures
1. Industrial Greenhouse (Venlo)
The most widespread type for large greenhouse farms. Aluminium or steel frame with twin-gable sections 4–8 m wide, 4 mm glass or polycarbonate.
- Area: 1 ha and above
- Ridge height: 5–7 m
- Covering: 4 mm tempered glass (best light transmission) or cellular polycarbonate
- Use: tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers — year-round production
2. Arched Polycarbonate Greenhouse
A budget option for small and medium farms. Steel tube frame, covering — cellular polycarbonate 8–16 mm.
- Area: from 200 m² to 5,000 m²
- Height: 3–5 m
- Covering: polycarbonate (light transmission 85–90% vs 92–97% for glass)
- Polycarbonate service life: 10–15 years with UV-protective coating
3. Winter Garden / Insulated Greenhouse
For growing crops through harsh Almaty winters (−20°C and below in mountain foothills):
- Double glazing or triple-layer polycarbonate
- Contour heating (pipes in the ground / air)
- Thermal insulation screens (energy-saving curtains)
Construction Specifics in Almaty Region
Seismicity
Almaty Region is a zone of high seismic activity. Greenhouse structures may seem light, but at 1+ ha they are capital facilities subject to the requirements of SP RK 2.03-30-2017.
Foundation for a greenhouse in Almaty Region:
- Steel anchor bolts for frame attachment — anti-seismic parameters
- Strip foundation (for Venlo) or point footings with reinforced anchors
- Foundation depth: below frost line (1.2–1.5 m for Almaty Region)
Wind Load
The foothills of Almaty Region are subject to seasonal winds (sarma, mountain downslope flows). Wind load is calculated per wind district IV for open sites. For greenhouses this is critical — the structure is relatively light and has significant wind resistance.
Water Supply
Almaty Region is rich in water resources (irrigation canals, groundwater, rivers). Greenhouse production requires good-quality water — a water analysis is recommended before designing drip irrigation systems.
Greenhouse Engineering Systems
| System | Purpose | Cost (per 1 ha) |
|---|---|---|
| Heating (gas) | Maintaining +18…+24°C in winter | 20–40 million ₸ |
| Irrigation (drip) | Water savings 40–60% vs overhead | 8–15 million ₸ |
| Ventilation (vents/fans) | Summer temperature control | 5–12 million ₸ |
| Supplemental lighting (LED) | Extending daylight in winter | 15–30 million ₸ |
| Energy-saving screens | Reducing heat loss at night | 8–20 million ₸ |
| CO₂ system | Accelerating growth (optional) | 3–8 million ₸ |
| Automation (climate control) | Managing all systems | 5–15 million ₸ |
Subsidies and Government Support for Greenhouse Operations
KazAgro (JSC NMH "KazAgro")
KazAgro finances the construction of industrial greenhouse complexes through its subsidiaries. 41 projects totalling 147 ha and 46.5 billion tenge have already been approved. Terms:
- Industrial greenhouse area: at least 1 ha (for large projects)
- Business plan with a financial model
- Local content in procurement
Almaty Region Akimat Subsidies
- Subsidies for purchasing seeds, fertilisers, and crop protection products
- Partial capital expenditure subsidies for greenhouse construction
- Concessional loans through KazAgroFinance
KazAgroFinance — Equipment Leasing
Greenhouse equipment (heating, irrigation, climate control systems) can be obtained on lease at concessional rates — special agro-sector programmes.
Construction Costs
| Greenhouse type | Area | Construction cost |
|---|---|---|
| Arched polycarbonate (unheated) | 1,000 m² | 5–10 million ₸ |
| Arched polycarbonate (heated) | 1,000 m² | 12–20 million ₸ |
| Venlo type (glass, with systems) | 1 ha (10,000 m²) | 150–280 million ₸ |
| Venlo type + LED + automation | 1 ha | 250–400 million ₸ |
Land excluded. Agricultural land in Almaty Region is significantly cheaper than industrial land.
Example: Green Land Alatau LLP
We build agricultural facilities in Almaty Region: greenhouses, grain stores, equipment hangars
StroyHub designs and builds agricultural facilities accounting for seismicity and wind loads of the mountain foothills climate.