Modern potato processing industry comes into operation with Rs. 2 billion investment

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 22: First Choice Foods Pvt. Ltd. has established a European-technology-based modern potato processing industry in Siddharthanagar Rural Municipality of Rupandehi District. 

The Rs. 2 billion facility spans approximately five bighas with a 60,000 square foot industrial building, Executive Chairman of the company Krishna Prasad Poudel informed at a programme organised to launch the product of the company in Lalitpur on Thursday evening. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel launched the products of the company. He expressed hopes that the products of the company would find their ways to the international market. 

"It's a matter of happiness that the industry is supporting farmers and investing in agricultural research," said DPM Paudel. 

The company produces world-class frozen potato products, including French fries, and has plans for potato tikki, burger patties, smileys, and hash brown potato wedges. 

"First Choice Foods has obtained BRCGS international quality production certification, a standard in food safety and quality. The company is registered with the US FDA and is exporting to the Indian market," said Poudel. 

The company also has plans for export to the United States, Dubai, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia are in preparation.

Over the past five years, First Choice Foods has invested in research for processing-grade potatoes in the Tarai, hilly, and Himalayan regions. This year, the industry purchased approximately 2,000 metric tonnes of potatoes from farmers. The company is currently producing potatoes through thousands of farmers in 19 districts, including Kailali, Nawalpur, Sindhuli, and Kavrepalanchok.

First Choice Foods has received approval from the government for potato research and development and seed potato production. 

According to Poudel, the company's team includes potato crop specialists, food scientists, potato disease experts, engineers, and chartered accountants. 

The company aims to connect Nepali farmers to the market, balance agriculture and technology in Nepal, and establish 'Made in Nepal' as a respected global brand. First Choice Foods has initiated training for technical personnel in Frozen Potato Processing in Nepal.

However, the company faces challenges from low-quality imports, market perception of Nepali products, and illegal French fry imports, as well as policy-related issues. 

It intends to provide Nepali consumers with healthy, safe, and internationally standardised potato products. The company markets its products under the "Himalayan Crisp and Hamro Fries" brands.

The company's products are distributed in major cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Butwal, Itahari, Dang, and Nepalgunj through five distributors, 12 chain restaurants, 150 suppliers, over 400 restaurants, and 171 modern marts. 

In the international market, Pal Frozen Group in Uttarakhand, India, is distributing First Choice Foods' French fries.