The city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is set to become a key hub for potato processing as Belgium-based Agristo prepares to break ground on a $450 million facility—its first in the United States. Scheduled for construction in spring 2026, the plant marks a major economic and agricultural win for the region, promising to strengthen the local potato industry and create new opportunities for farmers, processors, and agribusinesses.
North Dakota’s success in securing the project was bolstered by a $30 million state funding package, which helped the state outcompete rivals like Wisconsin. Mayor Brandon Bochenski emphasized that the incentives, combined with North Dakota’s superior farming conditions, made the difference: “We have better farmers, better land, and better people—this sealed the deal.”
A Strategic Turnaround After Fufeng Setback
The Agristo facility will be built on land originally purchased by Fufeng USA, a Chinese company that planned a corn milling plant. However, due to national security concerns raised by the nearby Grand Forks Air Force Base, the project was canceled. Agristo’s acquisition of the land ensures no remaining Chinese ownership, a resolution Mayor Bochenski calls a “huge win.”
Economic and Agricultural Impact
The new plant is expected to:
- Boost potato demand across North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.
- Create hundreds of jobs in processing, logistics, and agriculture.
- Strengthen the U.S. potato industry, which already contributes over $100 billion annually to the economy (USDA 2023).
With global potato processing markets growing at 4.5% CAGR (Grand View Research, 2024), Agristo’s expansion into the U.S. positions American farmers to tap into rising demand for frozen and processed potato products.
A Win for Farmers and the Future
Agristo’s investment is more than just a financial boost—it’s a long-term commitment to American agriculture, offering stability for potato growers and reinforcing North Dakota’s role as a key agribusiness player. By turning a past setback into a major opportunity, Grand Forks sets an example for how strategic partnerships can drive agricultural growth.
