Josh Parsons, an R&D scientist at PepsiCo’s Rhinelander, Wisconsin, farm leads a team combining traditional breeding with modern tools to cultivate high-quality potatoes for Lay’s chips. They grow new potato varieties through data-driven cross-pollination. These varieties are selected for yield, disease resistance, nutrition, and taste, aligning with PepsiCo’s sustainability and nutrition goals. Despite the lengthy nine-year development process, only a few seeds become successful.
Processing, fries, chips
McCain Foods CEO Koeune reveal major investment plans for French processing facilities during presidential visit
McCain Foods announced a €350 million investment in its French production facilities, enhancing capabilities at Harnes, Béthune, and Matougues. This initiative, revealed during President Macron’s visit, aims to boost production by 25% while prioritizing sustainability. State-of-the-art facility upgrades will reduce CO2 emissions and optimize water use. The investment supports McCain’s vision for a resilient future in French agriculture, benefiting its network of farmers, employees, and customers.
PepsiCo invests over 200 million Euros to boost production and sustainability at Belgian plant
PepsiCo is investing over 200 million euros in its Veurne plant in Belgium to boost production and sustainability, creating 150 new jobs. The plant, a major European snack production site, plans to increase its output by a third to 115,000 tonnes annually. This facility produces popular snacks for brands like Lay’s, Doritos, and Cheetos, distributing to fourteen countries.
McCain Foods to modernize and expand French potato processing facilities for sustainable growth
McCain Foods plans to invest €350 million into its French potato processing facilities over five years to boost production by 25% and reduce emissions. Investment targets include modernizing the Matougues plant, which will help expand operations significantly. This initiative, highlighted during President Macron’s visit, aligns with broader market growth in processed potato products driven by demand for convenience foods and advancements in processing technology. Challenges such as price volatility and supply disruptions due to climate impacts are also noted.
Leadership change at the UK Potato Processors Association: John Sedgwick takes helm as Chair
John Sedgwick has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the UK Potato Processors’ Association (PPA), taking over from Dan Hewitt. With extensive experience in the potato industry, Sedgwick aims to address the sector’s challenges such as supply chain issues and economic pressures. The PPA plans to enhance its profile and showcase the benefits of its membership amidst these challenges. Sedgwick’s leadership is welcomed by PPA’s Director General, Andrew Curtis, highlighting Sedgwick’s well-recognized role within the sector.
FAM STUMABO introduces ‘Scalibur’: A new cutting-edge solution for superior potato slicing
FAM STUMABO introduces Scalibur, a revolutionary potato slicer featuring dual rotation technology for superior slicing quality and efficiency. This advanced tool not only minimizes cell damage for smoother slices and increased yield but also offers versatility with interchangeable cutting heads for various vegetables. Scalibur ensures enhanced process control, reduced cost from lower parts wear, and compatibility with SureSet 16-blade heads, promising a new standard in the food processing industry.
Major expansion: McCain Foods to invest more than €350m in potato processing production in France
McCain Foods plans to invest over €350 million in France by 2028 to enhance its potato production capabilities. Primarily focusing on three production sites in Harnes, Béthune, and Matougues, this initiative will boost production capacity by almost 25%. This investment, termed “unprecedented” by regional president Alain Duranleau, aims to bolster the company’s competitiveness and sustainability, further solidifying its presence in the French market.
Global flavors, local tastes: The creative twist on McDonald’s fries around the world
Fast food in America is known for its consistency, but McDonald’s international outlets offer a delightful array of variations, particularly with French fries. McDonald’s adapts to global tastes, resulting in unique offerings like gravy-loaded fries in Australia and sweet corn-seasoned fries in the Philippines. With over 38,000 locations, the company ensures local flavors meet the iconic McDonald’s experience, making their fries not just famous but culturally versatile too.
FPS Food Process Solutions opens India office in heart of commercial sector
FPS Food Process Solutions has expanded its global presence by opening a new office in Ambli, Ahmedabad, India, enhancing service capabilities like sales, parts, and retrofitting. This office makes FPS a comprehensive hub in a key commercial zone. FPS, with its acquisitions and partnerships, positions itself as a one-stop shop, especially in the French Fry/Specialty potato processing industry. This move is part of FPS’s strategy to strengthen its footprint and offer integrated solutions from start to finish.
Canadian potato landscape: Record stocks and regional disparities define the market
The United Potato Growers of Canada reported that potato holdings in April 2023 increased by 12.5% from the previous year, totaling 52,393,000 cwt. Stocks are higher than the five-year average, with significant amounts in western provinces, especially in processing. Quebec and Maritime regions saw lower stocks due to a rainy season. Processing sector stocks surged by 24% due to record production. Meanwhile, overall seed sector stocks are slightly down by 5.6%.
Iconic figure in the potato processing industry, Davis Christensen, retires from Idaho Steel Products and Reyco Systems
Davis Christensen retires after transforming the potato processing industry with Idaho Steel Products and Reyco Systems. Instrumental in their success, he upheld a family tradition of excellence and forged strong customer ties. Highly regarded for his dedication and foresight, Christensen joins the Board and celebrates his son Jon’s ascent to Vice President. The company thanks Davis for his legacy and wishes him well in retirement.
‘A fry above the rest’: McCain Foods celebrated as McDonald’s Top Global Supplier of 2024
At the 2024 Worldwide Convention, McCain Foods was awarded McDonald’s Global Supplier of the Year out of over 3,000 suppliers for outstanding food safety, quality, sustainability, and supply chain innovation. Celebrating a partnership since 1977, this accolade commends their shared standards in global food service and commitment to excellence. McCain’s dedication to sustainable potato supply and enhancing McDonald’s offerings is recognized, promising future innovations in the fast-food sector.
A giant in the making: Somos Hijolusa marks a new era in the Spanish potato and horticultural sector
Patatas Hijolusa, Agrícola Villena, and Natuber have merged, forming Somos Hijolusa, a Spanish potato and horticulture giant with potential earnings of over €200 million. This traditional, family-rooted industry is evolving through strategic partnerships, aiming for national dominance and global market entry. The union signifies an innovative step for firms embracing sustainable agriculture and cooperative growth to succeed in the modern economy.
New horizons in frozen cuisine: McCain Foods and Strong Roots expand their strategic partnership
McCain Foods has reinforced its alliance with Dublin-based Strong Roots, aiming to offer more sustainable, vegetable-rich frozen foods globally. With investment since 2021, McCain seeks to transform the freezer aisle with Strong Roots’ planet-friendly dishes. Their partnership focuses on growth and sustainability, with initiatives like a brand advisory council and adherence to regenerative agriculture practices. McCain’s strategic moves include recent acquisitions to diversify and enhance their offerings.
PepsiCo’s Veurne plant in Belgium embraces cutting-edge automation for crisp production
PepsiCo is transforming its Belgian Veurne factory, collaborating with Mecalux to install a cutting-edge Automated Storage and Retrieval System for managing 2 million daily bags of crisps. Incorporating a Mecalux Automated Pallet Shuttle and a seamless 100-meter-long conveyor, this overhaul, complemented by Mecalux’s Easy WMS, aims to boost efficiency and sustainability in PepsiCo’s large-scale snack production.
TOMRA Food inaugurates new regional center in Valencia, main HUB for Southern Europe and North Africa
TOMRA Food, a leader in sorting and peeling solutions, has restructured to better serve regional markets globally. The Valencia center is key to their personalized approach, focusing on demonstrations, customer support, training, and after-sales service for EMEA. They are introducing new technologies like Spectrim X to enhance sorting efficiency and return on investment for clients.
‘Terra Carbono’: Pioneering a greener future in the potato industry
Terra Carbono, an innovative Hungarian ag-tech company, focuses on sustainable potato cultivation, aiming to reduce carbon footprints and improve agricultural productivity. They create biodegradable, carbon-negative products that boost yield, conserve water, and minimize chemical use while enhancing soil health. Terra Carbono is engaged in several partnerships for community betterment and sustainable practices.
