Belgian potato processor Agristo has announced a substantial €80 million (₹750 crore) expansion of its operations in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, taking its total investment in India beyond €105 million. The expansion will add a new french fries production line to be operational by 2026, significantly boosting the company’s potato processing capabilities in the region. “The Bijnor plant is a testament to how results can be achieved when vision and technical expertise are combined,” states Kristof Wallays, Agristo’s representative. This strategic expansion highlights India’s growing importance in the global frozen potato products market and demonstrates Agristo’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Asia.
Massive Investment Boosts Potato Processing in Northern India
Agristo’s fresh investment of €80 million in Bijnor marks a significant expansion of its potato processing operations in India. This infusion brings the company’s total financial commitment in the country to over €105 million (₹1,000 crore), highlighting the strategic importance of India in Agristo’s global growth plans. The project centers on a state-of-the-art french fries production line scheduled to be fully operational by 2026.
The Belgian potato processor has already established a successful operation in Bijnor focused on potato flakes production. Now, with this expansion, Agristo aims to quintuple its potato processing capacity, enabling substantial frozen french fries production for both domestic and international markets. I’ve seen similar agricultural investments transform food processing capabilities in Japan’s agrifood tech sector, where technology and agricultural practices merge for enhanced food security.
This investment represents more than just a business expansion—it signals confidence in India’s growing potato farming sector and the increasing demand for processed potato products across Asia. The processing facility will incorporate the latest technologies for efficient production while maintaining high-quality standards that Agristo is known for globally.
Transforming Potato Farming Through Innovation
The most remarkable aspect of Agristo’s Indian operations has been its impact on local agriculture. Through technological innovation and agricultural expertise, the company has helped increase potato yields from 17 tonnes per hectare to an impressive 32 tonnes per hectare. This nearly doubling of productivity represents a transformative change for local farmers who previously relied primarily on sugarcane cultivation.
The reach of this agricultural transformation has expanded significantly, with the number of participating farmers growing from 500 to over 2,500. These farmers have experienced tangible financial benefits, with average income increasing by 50% over the past three years. Such improvements align with principles seen in sustainable farming practices that balance productivity with environmental considerations.
Manpreet Singh Chadha of Wave Group, Agristo’s Indian partner, emphasized the broader vision: “We aim to empower the farmers and diversify their cash crop beyond sugarcane.” This approach addresses both economic and agricultural resilience by reducing dependency on a single crop. The company provides technical training, quality seeds, and guidance on modern farming methods to ensure consistent quality and yield.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
Beyond agricultural benefits, Agristo’s expansion creates significant employment opportunities in Bijnor and surrounding areas. Currently, the operation employs approximately 150 people across various roles from production to administration. Following the expansion, this number is expected to double, providing valuable jobs in an area where industrial employment opportunities can be limited.
The economic impact extends beyond direct employment to create a ripple effect throughout the local economy. Supporting industries, logistics providers, and service sectors all benefit from the increased economic activity. For many workers, these positions represent stable industrial jobs with competitive wages and benefits, contributing to broader economic development in Uttar Pradesh.
The facility also promotes skill development among local workers, training them in modern food processing techniques and quality control standards. This knowledge transfer builds local capacity and creates a more skilled workforce, further enhancing the region’s economic prospects. The combination of agricultural transformation and industrial development represents a holistic approach to regional economic growth.
Targeting Domestic and International Markets
While Agristo’s primary focus remains on serving the Indian market, the expanded production capacity will also target select export markets. The company has identified North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Japan as key international destinations for its Indian-produced frozen french fries. These regions have shown increasing demand for quality potato products, with APAC food trends indicating growing consumption of convenience foods.
India’s domestic market itself presents enormous potential, with rising incomes, urbanization, and changing food preferences driving demand for frozen potato products. The quick-service restaurant sector, hotel industry, and retail frozen food segment all show robust growth in potato product consumption. Agristo’s expanded production capacity positions the company to meet this growing demand while maintaining strict quality standards.
The export strategy leverages India’s advantageous position between European and Asian markets. By producing in India, Agristo can serve Middle Eastern food markets with shorter supply chains while still accessing quality potato inputs. This balanced approach to market development helps mitigate risks associated with regional economic fluctuations while maximizing production efficiency.
Celebrating International Collaboration
The groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion, held on March 2, 2025, highlighted the diplomatic significance of this Belgian-Indian collaboration. The ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries including Princess Astrid of Belgium, Uttar Pradesh’s Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, and Chief Secretary Manoj Singh. Their presence underscored the project’s importance at both the state and international levels.
Agristo Masa Pvt Ltd represents a successful joint venture between Masa Global Food Pvt Ltd (part of India’s Wave Group) and IMSTO NV, Belgium (Agristo NV). This partnership combines Belgian food processing expertise with Indian market knowledge and agricultural capacity. The collaboration exemplifies how international partnerships can drive sustainable farming success through shared knowledge and investment.
The project has received support from both Belgian and Indian governments, recognizing its potential economic and agricultural benefits. Such international business collaborations often serve as catalysts for broader diplomatic and trade relationships between countries. Beyond its direct commercial impact, the expansion represents a model for how agricultural processing investments can drive rural economic development while creating paths to international markets.
Future Growth Prospects and Sustainability Goals
Looking ahead, Agristo’s expansion in India sets the foundation for sustained future growth. The company has indicated that this investment represents part of a longer-term strategy for the Indian market, with potential for further capacity expansion as demand continues to increase. The modular design of the facility allows for additional production lines to be added with relatively modest incremental investment.
Sustainability considerations feature prominently in the expansion plans. The new facility will incorporate water recycling systems, energy-efficient processing equipment, and waste reduction technologies. These elements reflect Agristo’s global commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations while maintaining production efficiency.
The company’s approach to contract farming with local growers also includes components focused on sustainable agricultural practices. This includes optimizing water use, reducing chemical inputs, and maintaining soil health. By taking this approach, Agristo positions its Indian operation for long-term success while contributing to the sustainability of the agricultural system that supports it.
The Agristo expansion represents more than just a business investment—it’s a comprehensive approach to agricultural transformation, economic development, and international market expansion. As the facility begins operations in 2026, it will demonstrate how food processing investments can create value along the entire agricultural value chain while strengthening international business relationships between Europe and India.