Dutch Potato Processing Company Aviko is looking into expansion of processing capacity for french fries in Belgium, report several news sources in the country.
Aviko, part of the cooperative Cosun, currently operates a french fry factory near the Belgian town of Poperinge, the former factory of Eurofreez that Aviko acquired in 2008.
Aviko has reportedly bought another 7 hectare near the current location of the factory.
A spokesman of Cosun is said to have confirmed that Aviko is considering to purchase of this lot, but states that no purchase has been made yet. She confirms that Aviko is considering to expand the existing production capacity at Eurofreeze by adding an additional production line. Aviko wants to increase the production of french fries to better utilize the export opportunities in the European Union. However, "No investment decisions have been made yet".
Potato processing capacity in Belgium is expanding rapidly in recent years and is now the highest in the European Union. Production capacity in Belgium now also exceeds potato processing production capacity in the Netherlands, which used to be the largest potato processor until recently.
Growth of the Belgian Potato Processing industry (Source: Belgapom)
