BRAZIL – World’s leading producer of frozen french fries, McCain Foods has announced a US$100 million investment in its first french fry factory in Brazil.

The company is planning to build a new manufacturing facility in Araxá, Minas Gerais State near its recently acquired frozen potato specialties company, Serya Alimentos S.A.

The investment is expected to create 150 direct jobs, 450 indirect jobs and positively impact approximately 750 farmers and agricultural professionals.

The new facility is expected to be opened in the first half of 2021 with a goal to increase its production capabilities in Latin America.

“With the construction of the new factory in Brazil, McCain will enhance its distribution, create efficiencies in supply and consequently improve its service level and product offering in the local market,” said Aluizio Neto, General Director of McCain in Brazil.

The investment further builds on the company’s strategy to expand in the Brazilian market which is supplied with products from its plant in Balcarce, Argentina.

Last year, McCain acquired 49% stake in Forno de Minas Alimentos SA, maker of a leader in Brazil’s cheese bread market.

It further expanded its presence in the Brazilian pre-formed potato specialty market with a 70% stake in Serya.

According to McCain Foods, Brazil is today the 5th largest frozen pre-fried potato market in the world and becomes one of its major global focuses as it strives to grow in this category.

The company said it is investing US$300 million in its potato processing facility in Othello, Washington, US.

The investment allows the company to expand its production capacity at the facility which serves both the retail and foodservice industries in North America.

It recently invested in New-York based chicken nuggets startup, Nuggs with an eye on the growing plant-based products.

Nuggs’ uses an advanced texturized pea protein technology to create a nugget with the best texture, crunch and taste.