In early 2025, Lamb Weston—one of the world’s leading producers of frozen potato products—opened its doors to local farmers in Mar del Plata to showcase progress on what will become the most modern potato processing facility in Latin America. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community impact, the project represents a significant shift in how large-scale agro-industry and local farming communities can collaborate.
The plant will serve as a regional hub, processing potatoes into French fries, sweet potato products, and vegetable-based appetizers for both local and international markets. Once operational, it will not only create 255 direct jobs but also support over 3,000 indirect positions, including farmers, transporters, and port workers. Export markets include Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
Empowering Local Producers: Training, Tech, and Seeds
During the site tour, farmers from Mar del Plata, Balcarce, and Tandil were introduced to cutting-edge facilities, including climate-controlled storage chambers and high-tech sorting systems. Lamb Weston announced it would provide:
- Technical training in sustainable cultivation, pest management, and soil health.
- Agro-industrial equipment to improve efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses.
- Access to advanced seed varieties aligned with global best practices for processing quality and yield performance.
This initiative mirrors global trends. According to a 2023 Rabobank report, companies in the frozen potato sector are increasingly integrating backward into farming supply chains to secure quality and traceability. In the U.S., for example, contract farming systems with integrated support have increased average yields for processing potatoes by up to 30% over a decade.
Additionally, the International Potato Center (CIP) highlights that linking farmers to processing companies increases income by ensuring price stability and reducing reliance on volatile fresh markets. Lamb Weston’s model seems to be a real-world application of this theory.
A Sustainable Vision: Training Meets Responsibility
Lamb Weston emphasized its commitment to sustainability, focusing on responsible water use, energy efficiency, and waste reduction in both farming and processing. With growing concerns about climate variability in Argentina, such measures are vital. Mar del Plata’s proximity to ports and infrastructure also makes it a strategic location for export logistics, further reducing the carbon footprint of transportation.
Romina Broda, VP for Latin America, stated, “Local producers are key to Lamb Weston’s strategy. Their dedication ensures quality while strengthening the regional economy. Together, we’re creating a more sustainable and competitive value chain.”
Lamb Weston’s new plant in Argentina is more than just a processing facility—it’s the foundation for a thriving agricultural ecosystem. By investing in farmer education, technology, and sustainability, the company is not only improving production standards but also reshaping regional potato farming for long-term resilience and global competitiveness.
