Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Agristo Potato Processing Facility in Grand Forks

Agristo has officially broken ground on its new potato processing facility in Grand Forks, marking a significant milestone in the Belgian company's international expansion and reinforcing its long-term commitment to the U.S. market.

A Milestone for Growth and Regional Partnerships

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together Agristo executives, employees, local and state officials, farming partners, contractors, and members of the Grand Forks community to celebrate the start of construction on what will become one of the region's largest food processing investments.

During the event, Agristo emphasized that the project represents more than the construction of a new production facility. The investment is designed to create long-term economic value, strengthen partnerships with local potato growers, support the regional economy, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Agristo expressed its pride in becoming part of the Grand Forks community and thanked its colleagues, partners, government representatives, the farming community, and local residents for their support and warm welcome. The company noted that while the groundbreaking marked an important milestone, construction is now underway to turn the vision into reality.

Agristo team members, government officials, growers, contractors, and community partners gather to celebrate the groundbreaking of the future Grand Forks potato processing facility, expected to begin production in 2029.

Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski welcomed the project's progress, highlighting its expected benefits for the local economy, agriculture sector, and businesses across the region. 

Bochenski described the investment as a major win for Agristo's U.S. expansion, local farmers, contractors, businesses, and the broader agricultural community.

Construction Timeline and Economic Impact

The City of Grand Forks signed a development agreement with Agristo in August 2025, paving the way for the investment. Once operational, the facility is expected to process approximately 275,000 tons of potatoes annually, with most of the supply coming from growers across the Red River Valley. The plant is also projected to create 300 to 350 permanent jobs, providing a significant boost to the local workforce.

Construction on the project began in September and is expected to continue over a three-year period. Agristo now anticipates launching production in fall 2029, following an extension of the construction timeline from the original two-year schedule. The overall investment is also expected to exceed the previously announced estimate of USD 500 million, although the company has not yet disclosed an updated project cost.

The groundbreaking site showcases Agristo's vision for its future potato processing plant in Grand Forks, with project renderings unveiled as construction officially begins on the company's first U.S. production facility.

The groundbreaking marks the beginning of Agristo's next chapter in North America, as the company continues expanding its global production footprint while deepening its partnerships with U.S. farmers and the Grand Forks community.