News On French Fries and Potato Specialties from the Americas

McCain Foods USA Celebrates Grand Opening of Distribution Center in Burley

June 04, 2019

McCain Foods USA Celebrates Grand Opening of its expansion in Burley

Monday, McCain Foods USA, a leading supplier of frozen potato products, celebrated the grand opening of its expanded facilities in Burley, Idaho with over 150 attendees including elected officials and grower partners.

May 24, 2019

Mexico removes tariffs on import frozen potatoes from the United States

President Trump removed the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Friday, May 17. Mexico responded by removing its 20% tariff on frozen potatoes imported from the United States on May 20.

U.S. potato exports of frozen, dehy and fresh have all posted modest gains through the first three quarters of the July 2018 – June 2019 marketing year. (Courtesy: Potato News Today)

May 17, 2019

United States Potato Export sales trending up, despite trade wars

United States potato exports of frozen, dehy and fresh have all posted modest gains through the first three quarters of the July 2018 – June 2019 marketing year.

McCain Foods increases its stake in 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Penobscot McCrum plans new potato processing plant in Maine

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.

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

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.

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.

February 26, 2019

AFFI: Frozen Food Aisle making a strong comeback

A recent research report, the Power of Frozen by the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and Food Marketing Institute (FMI) examines drivers for growth in retail frozen foods.

February 22, 2019

Snow shuts down Simplot's Portage La Prairie potato processing plant

The build-up of snow and ice on the roof at Simplot's potato processing facility just west of Portage la Prairie in Manitoba, Canada has led to a shutdown.

February 22, 2019

Rapidly expanding Finger Food manufacturer Frostkrone acquires Rite Stuff Foods

European Frozen Finger Food manufacturer Frostkrone Group announced earlier this month it had completed the acquisition of the Idaho based company Rite Stuff Foods Inc., a manufacturer specialised in the production of potato snacks.

February 19, 2019

Belgapom brings James Bint and Belgian Fries to Mexico, a growing export market

As the export of frozen Belgian Fries to Mexico skyrockets, Belgapom took the ambassador of Belgian Fries - James Bint - on a recent economic mission to this growing export market

February 10, 2019

Is a second French Fry Plant coming to Caldwell, Idaho?

McCain Foods USA is looking to buy a property for a 100,000 square feet facility in Caldwell, Idaho, for what we assume would be production plant for frozen french fries.

February 04, 2019

Potato Processor Cavendish Farms imports millions of pounds of potatoes to P.E.I.

Prince Edward Island French Fry Manufacturer Cavendish Farms is importing a larger than usual amount of potatoes from other parts of Canada and the United States to make up for a local shortfall in supply.