Agristo to build US$450M potato plant in North Dakota adding 300 jobs

USA – Belgium’s Agristo has announced plans to build a US$450 million potato processing plant in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

If approved, the development would mark one of the largest agricultural investments in the state’s history and add 300 new jobs to the area.

The facility will produce frozen potato products such as French fries and hash browns, using land that had been set aside for a now-canceled corn milling project by China’s Fufeng Group.

That cancellation left the site open for new investment, and local leaders quickly moved to attract Agristo.

“This is probably one of the most exciting things that’s happened in our agricultural business in potatoes in a long, long time,” said Gary Shields from the Northland Potato Growers Association.

The plant is expected to require an extra 45,000 acres of potatoes, adding to the region’s current 120,000 acres grown across North Dakota and Minnesota.

A strategic shift to local production

Agristo, a family-owned business, is one of Europe’s top producers of frozen potato products. About half of what it currently makes ends up in the U.S.

By setting up a facility in North Dakota, the company hopes to cut shipping costs, avoid tariffs, and respond more quickly to local market needs.

Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski, who visited Agristo’s facilities in Belgium, supports the move. “It might be more expensive to build out the project, but I think the benefit of being closer to their markets and not paying tariffs will far outweigh that,” he said.

He also noted how well the company’s Belgian plants fit into local communities, describing them as clean and well-designed.

The project still needs to meet a few conditions, including securing US$30 million in state funding and finalizing a logistics deal with BNSF Railway. If these are met, construction could begin by 2026 and operations could start in 2028.

The plant was first planned for Wisconsin, but North Dakota potato growers persuaded the company to choose the Red River Valley instead. This area is known for its rich soil and strong farming networks.

U.S. potato market growing

The U.S. potato processing industry continues to grow, driven by higher demand for frozen and snack potato items. In 2024, the market was worth US$32.13 billion and is expected to reach US$33.94 billion this year.

The North American segment alone brought in US$11 billion in 2024, and projections show it could grow to US$15.2 billion by 2030.

Trends in health are also shaping what companies make. Products like sweet potato chips and baked potato snacks are gaining popularity among consumers looking for better food choices.

Agristo’s project is part of a wider trend of international companies building food plants closer to raw materials and customers.

With demand rising and technology improving, more global food processors may choose to set up U.S. operations in the coming years.

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