Without giving a long history of the world’s favourite sweet snack, chocolate dates back to the ancient Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilisations in Central America. Chocolate originally meant ‘bitter water’; the Aztec word xocolatl was used to describe the beverage, long before it became a form of confectionery.
Spanish explorers took cacao back to Europe in the 16th century, upon which it became a luxury item after sugar was added.
A few centuries of evolution later, and another wave of chocolate migration is set to take place, as a local brand, LOTTE Rakhat, plans to export its popular choices to other eastern markets. According to Kazakhstan Today, citing the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Rakhat varieties are set to hit the shelves in South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.
This is by no means the first international market for the brand, which started in 1942, as 22% of its confectionery is sold in Russia. Countries as far afield as Germany also stock the more popular varieties.
Locals in Almaty and Shymkent will often tell you that if you are looking for the LOTTE Rakhat factory shops, you only have to follow your nose, as the production facilities often give off a distinct smell of chocolate, which you can often savour when walking in that area of each city.
The two factories are responsible for over 100,000 tonnes annually, with the range including over 500 items, which in part explains why this year, the company won the regional Best Product of Kazakhstan 2026 competition.
Rakhat itself is approaching 90 years old, while in 2013 the South Korean company LOTTE acquired a controlling stake and has since invested heavily in its production facilities.
