India has transformed from a net importer of French fries to a major global exporter, achieving a milestone in its processed food industry. In 2023-24, the country exported 135,877 tonnes of French fries valued at ₹1,478.73 crore, surpassing domestic consumption and establishing itself as a key player in the frozen French fry market.
Between April and October 2024 alone, exports reached 106,506 tonnes, worth ₹1,056.92 crore, reflecting the growing international demand for Indian-produced fries. Key export destinations include Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and East Asia, with countries like the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Japan among the major importers.
Journey from Importer to Exporter
In the 1990s, India relied entirely on imported French fries, with companies like Lamb Weston and McCain Foods catering to luxury hotels and fast-food chains such as McDonald’s. By the mid-2000s, imports peaked at 7,863 tonnes annually. However, over the past decade, India has ceased importing and emerged as a leading exporter, thanks to advancements in potato processing and cultivation.
Ahmedabad-based HyFun Foods leads the charge, contributing 85,000 of the 175,000 tonnes exported in 2023. Other significant players include Iscon Balaji Foods, Funwave Foods, ChillFill Foods, and J R Simplot, which operates a facility in Gujarat.
Role of Potato Production
India’s rise in French fry exports is rooted in its position as the world’s second-largest potato producer, with an annual output of 60 million tonnes. Specialized processing-grade potato varieties, such as Santana, Innovator, and Kufri Frysona, are cultivated to meet export standards. These varieties, grown in regions with suitable agro-climatic conditions, offer high dry matter content and low reducing sugar levels, ensuring optimal fry quality.
Processing-grade potatoes are highly efficient for French fry production, with 1.8 kilograms of potatoes yielding one kilogram of fries. Specialty products like hash browns, nuggets, and potato flakes—used in snacks like bhujia—are even more efficient, requiring less raw material for production.
Legal Challenges in the Potato Sector
India’s potato industry has not been without challenges. PepsiCo faced backlash for suing farmers in Gujarat over the unauthorized cultivation of its proprietary FL 2027 potato variety, used in Lay’s chips. While the company withdrew its lawsuits in 2019 following public outrage, the issue resurfaced in 2024 when the Delhi High Court reinstated PepsiCo’s intellectual property rights under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act.
A New Era in Food Exports
India’s emergence as a French fry export leader highlights the country’s growing prowess in processed food manufacturing. With a robust potato production base, advanced processing techniques, and increasing global demand, India is set to strengthen its position in the global frozen food market.