Knowing a market means knowing the people who enjoy the product.
The French know their fries, and so do we
Fries remain one of the biggest frozen potato categories in many markets, enjoyed both as convenient oven fries and as the classic deep-fried favourite.
But what makes the perfect fry? That depends on who you ask, and how it is prepared.
Consumer expectations are shaped by local tastes, eating habits and preparation methods. What works in one country will not necessarily win people over in another. That is why, for the French market, we started with one essential question: what do French consumers really want from their fries, whether prepared in the oven or deep fryer?
Golden, crispy and made for French tastes
Our consumer research revealed clear expectations. French consumers look for fries with an appetising golden colour, a crispy texture and a satisfying potato taste. Even when prepared in a domestic oven, the experience should come close to the familiar enjoyment of deep-fried fries.
These insights enabled us to develop a clear product profile specifically for the French market: fries that are golden, satisfyingly crispy and suited to the way French consumers prepare and enjoy them at home.
From consumer insight to consumer approval
Knowing what consumers expect is only the beginning. The real test is whether the product delivers once it reaches the plate. That is why our oven and deep-fryer fries were validated in consumer panels in France.
The results confirmed that our products respond strongly to local expectations, particularly when it comes to taste, appearance, golden colour and texture. In the consumer tests, our fries achieved higher overall appreciation scores than the competing products included in the research. This confirms that developing products around genuine local preferences makes a meaningful difference.
The result is a versatile selection of shoestring, classic and steakhouse fries, created around what French consumers enjoy rather than a one-size-fits-all market standard.
Local insight makes the difference
For Agristo, understanding consumers is an essential part of innovation. It helps us look beyond wider food trends and identify the details that make a product truly relevant in a specific market.
In France, that means understanding how colour influences the perception of texture, why crispiness matters so much and what consumers expect from fries prepared in different ways.
By combining these insights with our potato expertise, we can offer products that fit naturally into French households and everyday eating moments.
Made for the people who enjoy them
Knowing a market means knowing the people who enjoy the product. And when it comes to fries, French consumers have made their preferences clear:
Make them golden. Make them crispy. And make them worth coming back to.