Gorilla denies plans to move production out of Kazakhstan

Will Gorilla producers leave Kazakhstan? / Photo: Shutterstock

Gorilla Asia, the company that produces popular energy drinks, has officially announced that it has no plans to move its production out of Kazakhstan in the near future.

Earlier this month, BES.media reported that the company was considering relocating its production from Kazakhstan to neighboring Uzbekistan due to a new tax. Starting on Jan. 1, 2026, Kazakhstan will introduce a new excise duty of approximately $0.29 per liter on energy drinks. The tax will also apply to exported goods and is expected to increase gradually to $0.35 per liter.

According to Gorilla Asia, the company has no plans to leave Kazakhstan or relocate its production. However, it is analyzing the new regulatory environment and considering long-term optimization strategies.

«The company is making every effort to maintain production volumes in Kazakhstan. We are confident that, with government support, Gorilla Asia will be able to sustain its exports from Kazakhstan and continue to contribute to the country’s socio-economic development,» the company said in a statement.

Gorilla Asia’s current export volume exceeds 60 million liters of beverages per year, earning it the title of «Exporter of the Year.» Kazakhstan currently exports Gorilla-branded beverages to Central Asian and Caucasus countries, as well as Mongolia and South Korea. The company is also planning to expand exports to Pakistan and China.

As Gorilla Asia noted, it supports approximately 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, with a payroll totaling $42.6 million, and pays about $40.6 million in taxes annually. In addition, the company supports athletes and the construction of sports facilities in Kazakhstan as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts.

The Gorilla brand is owned by Gorilla Energy, a company founded in New York in 2008 and headquartered in Los Angeles and Dubai. The brand is currently represented in 29 countries, including the United States, South Korea, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Australia.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Association of Soft Drink and Juice Manufacturers has opposed the introduction of excise taxes on energy drinks, warning that the measure could lead to a decline in production.