Belgium-based Agristo has officially started vertical construction on its US$1 billion potato processing facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The groundbreaking ceremony on July 7, 2026, marked a major milestone for one of the largest private-sector investments in northeast North Dakota’s history.
The new facility will establish Agristo’s first production plant in North America and expand the company’s global frozen potato product operations. The family-owned company, founded in 1983, currently operates four processing plants across Belgium and the Netherlands.
Agristo selected a 350-acre site on the north side of Grand Forks for the project. The company plans to build a 630,000-square-foot processing facility that will manufacture frozen potato products for retail, foodservice, and private-label customers across North America.
$1 Billion Investment Expands Grand Forks Manufacturing Capacity
Agristo has increased its investment commitment from an original US$450 million estimate to more than US$1 billion as construction and equipment costs have risen. The company confirmed that the higher investment reflects the expanded scale of the facility and does not create additional costs for local government budgets.
Grand Forks city administrator Todd Feland said the increased investment will strengthen the local tax base by increasing the value of commercial property within the city, county, and school district.
The project represents a significant expansion of North Dakota’s manufacturing sector. Once operational, the facility will process approximately 1.1 billion pounds of potatoes annually, producing around 550 million pounds of finished products.
The plant will manufacture products including:
- French fries, waffle fries, hashbrowns, tater tots, and formed potato specialties
- Frozen potato products for retail, foodservice, and private-label markets
- Large-scale production volumes supported by regional agricultural supply chains
Miron Construction Leads Facility Delivery
Agristo selected Miron Construction Co., Inc. as the main contractor for the project, with Excel Engineering, Inc. providing design engineering services.
Site preparation began in September 2025 with early foundation activities, including piling installation. Construction crews continued structural work through spring 2026 before the formal groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of vertical construction.
The facility design includes advanced food processing infrastructure required for large-scale potato production. The building will support processing lines, storage areas, packaging operations, and logistics systems needed to serve national food markets.
Agristo expects the plant to process its first potatoes during the fall 2029 harvest.
Red River Valley Agriculture Supports Plant Location
Agristo chose Grand Forks because of its location within the Red River Valley, one of North America’s most productive agricultural regions. The corridor across North Dakota and Minnesota provides access to major potato-growing areas and established farming operations.
North Dakota ranks as the fifth-largest potato-producing state in the United States. Agristo expects the facility to work with more than 50 contracted growers farming approximately 20,000 acres once production reaches full capacity.
The company’s agricultural model will require regional farmers to expand potato production and adapt to Agristo’s preferred yellow-flesh potato varieties. Growers will also need additional storage capacity and updated equipment to support long-term supply requirements.
Walmart Partnership Supports North American Expansion
Retail giant Walmart played an important role in supporting Agristo’s decision to establish its first North American facility. The company provided supply commitments that helped strengthen the business case for the investment.
The partnership aligns with Walmart’s broader US manufacturing initiative, which encourages companies to expand domestic production capacity and strengthen local supply chains.
For Agristo, the Grand Forks facility provides a strategic location to serve growing demand for frozen potato products across the United States.
Construction Timeline Extends to 2029 Production Start
Agristo originally planned to complete construction within two years and begin production during the fall 2028 harvest. The company later extended the schedule by one year, moving the expected production start to fall 2029.
The additional construction timeline will allow the project team to complete a larger-scale facility while giving regional farmers more time to prepare for increased potato production.
Local officials have described the schedule adjustment as part of the project’s expansion rather than a setback. The increased investment value reflects Agristo’s commitment to developing a major processing operation in the region.
The final construction cost remains under review as the company continues equipment procurement and facility development.
Project Expected to Transform Regional Potato Economy
The Agristo Grand Forks facility will create more than 300 permanent jobs when the plant reaches peak operations. Economic development officials estimate the project could generate up to US$1.5 billion in direct and indirect economic impact for the region.
The project is expected to influence multiple sectors, including agriculture, transportation, logistics, manufacturing, and supporting services.
The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation and the City of Grand Forks have supported the project alongside regional agricultural stakeholders.
Once operational, Agristo’s new facility will represent a major addition to North Dakota’s food manufacturing industry and reshape the region’s potato supply chain for decades.
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