Agristo, a Belgium-based potato processor, marked the official construction kickoff of its first U.S. production facility on July 7 with a “Planting Our Roots” groundbreaking ceremony north of Grand Forks. This is a visible milestone in a project representing more than $1 billion in investment and up to 350 direct jobs for the region. The project has been supported by a large number of partners, including the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC).
The event was held at the site of the future 630,000-square-foot facility and brought together roughly 350 farmers, business, industry, government and education leaders to celebrate progress. Officials described the project as one of the most significant food processing investments in the region’s history. Site preparation began in September 2025, and the facility is targeted to be fully operational by 2029, with that fall’s potato harvest the first processed on site.
Project By the Numbers
- More than $1 billion will be invested in the construction of the Grand Forks facility
- Up to $1.5 billion in projected total economic impact for the region
- 300 to 350 direct jobs expected at peak operation
- 630,000-square-foot facility on a 350-acre site
- 1.1 billion pounds of potatoes processed annually, yielding 550 million pounds of finished product
- More than 50 contracted growers across roughly 20,000 acres
- Facility targeted for full operation by 2029, beginning with that fall’s harvest
The project reflects years of collaboration among city, county, state and industry partners.
See Other stories
“We are absolutely thrilled that Agristo chose Grand Forks as the place to establish their first North American production facility,” said Keith Lund, President & CEO of the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation.
Lieutenant Governor Michelle Strinden and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring addressed the crowd during a formal ceremony, pointing to North Dakota’s standing as the nation’s fifth-largest potato producer. Goehring shared that growers statewide produced about 2.5 billion pounds of potatoes last year, and the rich soil helped draw Agristo to the region. EDC Director of Economic Development Becca Cruger represented the EDC among the event speakers, emceeing the ‘potato planting’ ceremony.
Potato sourcing for the Grand Forks facility will draw heavily from the Red River Valley, one of the most productive agricultural corridors in North America, along with growers in western North Dakota and central Minnesota. At full capacity, Agristo will engage more than 50 contracted growers across approximately 20,000 acres.
Walmart has also played a pivotal role in bringing the investment to life, providing commitments through its U.S. manufacturing initiative that helped make Agristo’s investment possible.
“Walmart and Agristo share a commitment to quality, innovation, sustainability and customer value,” said Jaclyn Lomax, Vice President of Supplier Excellence at Walmart U.S. during the ceremony. “This investment will create jobs, expand opportunities for local farmers and bring significant investment to the region.”
Since the project’s announcement, Agristo has quickly built out its U.S. leadership team, hiring an agronomist in December 2025 and a plant director, transport director, sales director and human resources director by March 2026. The investment adds to regional economic diversification, building momentum for value-added agriculture and advanced manufacturing across the Grand Forks region.
“Agristo coming to the Grand Forks region is a generational win for our farmers and our community,” said Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski. “Our future success is forever linked and shines brighter than ever.”
“This project reflects years of work by Team Grand Forks — city, state, county and industry partners working side by side,” said Lund. “As Agristo’s foundation rises from the ground this year, so does our region’s future. This is a partnership that will fuel opportunity for generations to come.”
During the event, Agristo premiered the facility renderings, the first time they have been made public since the project was announced.
