|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
McCain Foods to set up plant in Gujarat
|
|
Saturday, 01 October, 2005, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Shalini Nair, Hyderabad
|
y owned subsidiary of McCain Foods - world's largest producer of French fries and potato specialties with sales of over $6bn - will set up a potato processing plant in Mehsana district of Gujarat. The plant, McCain's first in India, will be built with an investment of Rs 70 crore and is scheduled to begin production in second half of 2006.
McCain will produce French fried and potato specialties at the Mehsana plant. The plant will have capacity to process 30,000 tonnes of potatoes annually. Jaideep Mukherji, Country Manager for India and Indian subcontinent said, "This investment is a clear expression of our company's confidence in the enterprise and skills of Gujarat potato farmers and the long term market potential of frozen French fries and Potato specialties in India. The decision to build the plant is a culmination of 7 years of hard work in India on agronomy, sales and setting-up of a frozen distribution network."
"Although there are thousands of potato varieties only a handful of varieties in the world are able to meet the standards of production of a high-quality French fry. Process quality potatoes as we call them can be grown commercially in North Gujarat areas. Not only are the soil and climatic conditions suitable, the farmers are enthusiastic and keen to adopt the best practices and grow new varieties after participating in the trials," said Mukherji.
"The Indian market for French fries and potato specialty is currently estimated at 5,000 tonnes and growing rapidly. Potato is a significant staple in the diet of Indian families. There is huge consumption of potato preparations for both snacks and meals. Most popular local snacks like Aloo Vada, Aloo Tikki, Samosa are all potato based. The plant in India would provide opportunities to tailor products to local tastes in addition to our international range," said Mukherji.
Headquartered at Canada, McCain has more than 55 plants across the world and markets products in over 110 countries. Besides French fries, McCain also markets a range of quality frozen food products including potato specialties, pizzas, appetizers, vegetables and desserts. McCain French fries and potato products are used by leading Fast Food Restaurants, Hotels, Airlines and Catering companies such as McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Oberoi Group, Taj Group, Jet Airways, Haldiram's etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|