Vive la frite

French fries for the French market - coming soon

Whether it’s for retail shelves or restaurant plates, we want to be the reference in potato inspired products. That’s why we’re expanding internationally. With one clear promise: processing and delivering locally sourced potatoes, perfected for local tastes and preferences. And where better to make true French fries than in France itself?

Vive la France. Vive la frite. Vive Escaudœuvres.

Built in phases, with long-term impact

Our new facility in Escaudœuvres, France, will become Agristo’s second-largest production site. It’s a big move, and one we’ll roll out in carefully planned phases, tailored to the needs of the French market.

  • By July 2027, we’ll finish our hash brown production line.

  • By September 2027, we're ready to produce our iconic fries, optimized for oven and air fryer performance.

  • Finally - by September 2028 - we’ll expand into mash, a fan favorite on the French market.

Why you’re set for success with Agristo?

  1. We know (y)our potatoes
    Our Agro Account Managers are in direct contact with local farmers, keeping track of stock, quality, and harvest updates. That means you stay informed, with regular crop updates and visibility across the supply chain.

  2. We know your consumer
    We run our own in-house market research, which includes a recent deep dive into French consumer preferences. One key takeaway? People want more oven-friendly products. We heard it, and we acted on it.

  3. We think like your product team
    Our Product Team doesn't just respond to trends, we anticipate them. A yearly trend report keeps you in sync with what consumers want now and what they’ll want next. Got a niche segment or custom project in mind? Let’s co-create.

I look forward to our site in Escaudœuvres, which combines innovation, employment, and local partnerships.

Sylvain Bourdon - Plant Manager Escaudoeuvres

Timeline and current stages

In 2024, we focused on preparation, permits, and public consultation. The execution continues in 2025, with the construction work and hiring of our French colleagues. By mid-2027, we hope to welcome you all to our new site.

  • Permits and public consultation – 2025

  • Construction works – starting 2025

  • Farmer contracting – 2025-2026

  • Factory go-live – Mid-2027

What this means for you

This site brings production closer to your operations, reduces lead times, boosts agility, and supports a local, sustainable ecosystem. It’s your (next) potato partner, right at the heart of the Hauts-de-France region.

Our commitment

A smart repurposing

A smart repurposing of a 27-hectare production site (the former Tereos sugar refinery) within an already established industrial zone. For this project, we are investing no less than 280 million euros.

Our production capacity

We will start with an initial production capacity of 150,000 tons of finished products per year and gradually expand to 300,000 tons per year.

French potatoes & long-term partnership

We are collaborating with French farmers based around our site, building a strong and long-term partnership to produce the very best potato products together.

Bonjour Potatoholics!

From 140 new jobs at the opening of the factory to a growth of 300 to 350 jobs once we reach 300,000 tons per year. This includes various profiles: operators, maintenance technicians, quality controllers, team leaders, process engineers, administrative staff, logistics roles, and controllers.