International Potato Tour — India | Potato Summit, Delhi
At the Potato Summit in Delhi, the International Potato Tour continues its mission: meeting the people who are building the real potato industry — not headlines, not hype, but factories, systems, supply chains, and products that reach consumers every day.
In this episode, we spoke with two founders of McPatel Foods Pvt. Ltd.:
Karan Sarodia, Founder & Director, and Kirit Haraniya, Founder & Director.
Their company is a new name on the market — but their ambition is clearly global: frozen french fries, dehydrated potato flakes, and a growing portfolio of potato specialties designed for both India and export.
A company born in 2023 — and shaped by a Europe trip
McPatel Foods officially began its journey in 2023. As the founders explain, a key moment was a trip to Europe to study the frozen food market. That exposure helped them understand not only product trends, but also the standards and expectations behind large-scale frozen potato business — from production lines to quality benchmarks and supply reliability.
Back in India, the team saw the momentum building: demand for processed potato products was growing, and the export market for fries looked especially promising. McPatel’s strategy became clear: develop production that can compete on quality and consistency, while staying close to the needs of customers — in India and abroad.
What McPatel produces today
The founders describe their core focus as two product pillars:
- Frozen french fries
- Dehydrated potato flakes
But within fries, they’re not talking about one simple SKU. McPatel highlights a range of cuts and formats including straight cut fries, string fries, skin-on fries, seasoned/sprinkled styles, and potato wedges. The idea is to serve different channels — from food service and QSR-style demand to retail and private-label opportunities.
What’s next: coated lines, hash browns, patties, and more
McPatel’s product roadmap is built around expansion into higher-value specialties. The team plans to move toward:
- Coated fries / coated line products
- Hash browns
- Potato shots
- Burger patties
- Additional specialty potato products for modern convenience food markets
This is the direction many fast-growing processors choose: start with strong, stable staples (fries and flakes), then build a broader portfolio that increases market resilience and export attractiveness.
Domestic + overseas: the market strategy
McPatel confirms that the company is working in both the domestic Indian market and overseas markets. Their messaging is consistent: customers want frequent, reliable supply, and quality must stay stable across the season.
They emphasize production quality “with a European line,” pointing to a focus on modern equipment and standardized processes — critical if you aim to supply demanding markets.
Automation and storage: the backbone of scale
One of the most interesting parts of the visit is the discussion of a fully automated storage system (AS/RS-style logic) — where product moves from production to pallet handling through an automated in–out system. For processors, storage is not just a warehouse — it’s the heart of product stability, logistics efficiency, and export readiness.
Automation at this level signals a serious long-term plan: when you invest in systems that reduce handling errors and improve traceability, you’re building the infrastructure needed for consistent large-scale supply.
Scaling up: expansion plans and new capacity targets
McPatel also shares expansion intentions for the next stages of development. The discussion includes plans to increase output capacity, including a stronger fries line and an expanded flakes line, plus new lines for additional categories.
For a young processor, this is a strong statement: the company is thinking not in “small batches,” but in industrial growth — and in building the full system around it: production, storage, and market access.
Export realities: certifications first, then containers
The founders speak openly about the early stage of export: production started recently (they mention launching their plant in August), but export shipments are not only about the product — they depend on documentation, certifications, and buyer-specific requirements.
They explain that certification processes are still ongoing and that export volumes will scale once those requirements are completed. Their export horizon is ambitious: they mention targeting a wide geography — from Japan to Canada — with the practical understanding that final destinations will depend on what buyers request in terms of specs, parameters, and compliance.
Branding: “Potato Ranch”
McPatel’s french fries are branded as “Potato Ranch.” For a processor aiming for export and premium positioning, a clear brand identity matters — especially when entering competitive markets where product differentiation and trust can be as important as price.
Why this story matters for India’s potato sector
McPatel Foods is one example of what we see more often across India today: new processors entering the market with modern systems and global ambitions. The combination of expanding domestic demand, strong raw material potential, and growing interest in export creates real opportunity — but only for companies willing to invest in quality, technology, logistics, and compliance.
From the International Potato Tour perspective, this episode shows something simple and powerful: the industry grows when people build real capacity — and share knowledge openly.
International Potato Tour — India continues.
Stay with us for more interviews, factory visits, and real stories from the global potato value chain.
