Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO), a premier national-level cooperative society in India, and Farm Frites Beheer B.V. (Farm Frites), a global leader in potato fries and potato specialties, have recently joined forces to establish a high-tech potato processing unit in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. This strategic partnership, structured as a 50:50 joint venture (JVC), marks a significant step for both companies and holds substantial promise for the Indian potato sector, particularly for potato farmers in the region. The Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) was formally signed on February 12, 2025, by KRIBHCO’s Managing Director, M.R. Sharma, and Farm Frites’ Chairman, Pieter de Bruijne
Established in 1980, KRIBHCO is an Indian agricultural cooperative focused on producing and distributing fertilizers and other agri-inputs through its extensive network of cooperative societies. It operates production plants in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh (via KRIBHCO Fertilizers Limited). Kribhco’s product portfolio includes a wide range of fertilizers, seeds, and bio-fertilizers. Leveraging its strong farmer connections, Kribhco has diversified into agri-commodity export and import through its subsidiary, Kribhco Agri Business Limited, and is exploring renewable energy.
Farm Frites, established in 1971, is a privately owned family company specialising in producing a wide range of potato fries and specialty products. It has grown into an ambitious, worldwide organisation, supplying major international food chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Domino’s, and delivering products to over 100 countries. Farm Frites cultivates approximately 15 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes globally each year and offers more than 80 varieties of fries, specialties, and appetizers.
The joint venture is specifically aimed at establishing a state-of-the-art, high-tech potato processing unit in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The facility will focus on the production and processing of high-yield potato varieties from the Netherlands. Premium Dutch varieties, such as Santana and Quintera, are planned to be cultivated across large areas in Shahjahanpur specifically for this project. A dedicated team from Kribhco and Farm Frites will be responsible for providing these special potato seeds and offering technical guidance to farmers, leveraging the technical expertise from both partners to optimise quality and competitiveness.
This initiative comes at a time when India is rapidly transforming from an importer to a major exporter of frozen fries, showing strong growth in exports. The new processing plants coming online in Uttar Pradesh, including the Farm Frites – Kribhco partnership and another venture by Agristo – Masa Global JV, mark a shift away from the traditional processing hub in Gujarat and place facilities closer to India’s largest potato harvesting region, Uttar Pradesh.
The project is anticipated to bring multiple benefits to the region. It is expected to enhance farmers’ income in Shahjahanpur and surrounding areas by providing better seeds, advanced farming techniques, and assured market access. Furthermore, the processing plant is projected to create hundreds of job opportunities in the area. Recognising its economic importance, the project has been classified as a Super Mega Project under Uttar Pradesh’s industrial policy.
