European potato company plans first U.S. plant in North Dakota

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – Agristo, a leading European producer of frozen potato products, is making big moves in North America. The company, founded in 1986, has chosen Grand Forks as the site for its first U.S. production facility.

Agristo is based in Belgium. The company has been testing potato farming across the U.S. for years and found North Dakota to be the perfect fit. The state offers high-quality potato crops and a strong agricultural community.

In a statement, Agristo said it believes those factors make it an ideal location for producing the company’s high-quality frozen potato products, including fries, hash browns, and more.

“Seeing strong potential in both potato supply and market growth in North America, Agristo is now ready to invest in its first production facility in the United States, focusing on high-quality products, innovation, and state-of-the-art technology.”

Agristo plans to invest up to $450 million to build a cutting-edge facility in Grand Forks. This project will create 300 to 350 direct jobs, giving a boost to the local economy.

Agristo is working closely with North Dakota officials to finalize the details of the project.

Negotiations for the plant are expected to wrap up by later this year.