News On French Fries and Potato Specialties

Two examples of the pre-formed frozen potato products offered by the Brazilian potato processor Sérya

May 04, 2019

McCain Foods increases its stake in Brazilian potato specialty manufacturer Sérya

McCain Foods announces the acquisition of 70% of Sérya , a Brazilian food company operating in the pre-formed potato specialty market.

Aerial view of the existing McCain Foods USA - Othello Washington potato processing plant. (Courtesy: Google Maps)

May 02, 2019

McCain Foods USA announced a major expansion of its potato processing capacity in Othello, Washington

Today, McCain Foods USA Inc., a division of McCain Foods Limited, the world’s largest producer of frozen french fries, announced a $300 million investment in its Othello, Washington potato processing plant.

McCain Foods Portage la Prairie, Manitoba facility celebrated 40 years in business on April 15th with dignitaries joining McCain executives to officially open its new $10 million potato receiving area. (Pictured left to right: Ian Wishart, MLA, Portage la

April 30, 2019

McCain Foods Portage la Prairie Facility Celebrates 40 Years in Business

On April 16, 2019, McCain Foods (Canada) celebrated the 40th anniversary of its Portage la Prairie, Manitoba facility and also officially opened its new potato receiving area at a special ceremony hosted onsite at the potato processing facility.

Producers were reporting storage concerns this winter as they struggled with frost-damaged potatoes and extreme cold.
(Courtesy: Potato Growers of Alberta)

April 29, 2019

Expanding potato sector in Manitoba not stressing on seed, despite tight supplies

Manitoba’s potato sector is gearing up to supply an expanding industry but seed supplies will be tight after a tough harvest last season. A number of producers are planning capital upgrades to keep up with the rise in demand.

Example of a high bay frozen storage facility where potato processing companies store their 'emergency supply' of frozen french fries. This is an aerial view of the facilities of Preferred Freezer Services in Richland Washington. When this facility was bu

April 25, 2019

Will A Slow Start For Pacific North-west Potato Farmers lead to a French Fry shortage?

Spring is just now beginning to shine in much of eastern Oregon and Washington. A winter of record snowfall left the ground frozen or flooded much later than normal. As a result, farmers are getting a late start on their crops.

Danson Ndegwa, plant manager of the Engineer Food Processing plant located at Engineer town explains the potato processing production process during a tour of the plant prior to its official opening.

April 25, 2019

New Potato Processing plant in Nyandarua will give local potato farmers more opportunities

The opening of a new potato processing plant in Engineer town, Nyandarua county (Kenya) offers new opportunities for local potato farmers.

Jan Weigman, project manager at Wright-Pierce, left, talks about Penobscot McCrum's proposed potato processing plant in Washburn with attendees at an information meeting on April 23 at Washburn High School. (Courtesy: Anthony Brino | The Star-Herald)

April 24, 2019

Penobscot McCrum plans new potato processing plant near Presque-Isle, Maine

Penobscot McCrum is planning to build a new potato processing plant at the site of a long-closed potato factory in Washburn, Maine.

Ore-Ida made its name as processor of frozen potato products by the invention of the tater-tot in 1953

April 24, 2019

Kraft-Heinz said to consider sale of Ore-Ida frozen potato business

According to reporting by CNBC, Kraft Heinz is considering the sale of its Ore-Ida potato brand in order to pay down its debt

Example of an e-commerce listing of a McCain Foods product at a UK retailer

April 16, 2019

McCain Foods GB partners with e.fundamentals to help drive online sales

McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, has selected e-commerce analytics provider e.fundamentals to help drive sales of its products through retailers’ websites.

The recipe contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, and serves up 160 calories and under one gram of saturated fat per portion.

April 16, 2019

Birds Eye launches colourful mini rainbow potato waffles

Birds Eye just announced a new potato side-dish called Mini Rainbow Waffles at retail chain Iceland in the United Kingdom.

Investering in de aardappelverwerkende industrie (in euros) in de periode 1995 - 2018

March 29, 2019

Belgian potato processing industry processed over 5 million tonnes of potatoes in 2018

The potato processing industry in Belgium registered record growth and processed over 5 million tonnes of potatoes in 2018. However, in 2019 the sector faces major challenges as a result of the poor harvest in 2018

North American potato processors either have or will be bringing at least 1.3 billion pounds of new processing capacity online between October 2018 and December 2019.

March 25, 2019

Will added North American potato processing capacity lead to increased acreage?

North American potato processors either have or will be bringing at least 1.3 billion pounds of new processing capacity online between October 2018 and December 2019. In Potato Country, Bruce Huffaker of NAPMN discusses the impact.

Food processing and packaging solutions provider tna has appointed Matthew Walters as branch manager to head up its African operations.

March 13, 2019

Matthew Walters to lead tna's African operations

Food processing and packaging solutions provider tna has appointed Matthew Walters as branch manager to head up its African operations.

Robert Irving, president of Cavendish Farms, delivers a speech to the Prince Edward Island Young Farmers Association. Irving said the company is currently working on developing potatoes that can withstand dry growing conditions.

March 05, 2019

Cavendish Farms invests in potato breeding to deal with climate change

Cavendish Farms is working to develop potato varieties that can thrive in dry growing conditions on Prince Edward Island, says the company’s president Robert Irving.