French fries produced in Butwal from Nepali potatoes have begun being exported to the United States.

Within the next 2 months, 42 tons of 'Himalayan Crisp' and 'Hamro Fries' brand French fries produced using modern technology are going to reach the US from Bhairahawa by road and from there by shipping (sea route). Two containers carrying French fries from Bhairahawa reached Kolkata last week. The French fries will reach the US from Kolkata in 55 days, said Krishna Poudel, director of the French fries manufacturing industry First Choice Foods Pvt. Ltd.

The industry, which was established 5 years ago in Mainhiya, Shuddhodhan Rural Municipality-5, Rupandehi, has been producing commercially for a year. The industry claims that First Choice Foods has displaced 75 percent of the imports consumed in the Nepali market within 5 years of its establishment and one year of production.

The product, which was being exported from Nepal to the Indian market, has started being exported to the US. The company has stated that Nepali French fries will soon be available in the markets of the UK, Australia, Japan, Dubai, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. The industry claims that preparations are underway with the goal of displacing foreign imports in the Nepali market and delivering them to a dozen other countries within a year.

The company, which was established at an estimated cost of two billion rupees, has received an investment of more than one and a half billion rupees. Director Poudel said that other work in the industry is also ongoing. ‘We are currently producing French fries with the capacity to produce two tons of French fries per hour using cutting-edge European technology,’ he said. ‘It is a matter of pride for us and for us to deliver French fries produced by the sweat of Nepali farmers to foreign markets.’

After the industry also brought into operation a state-of-the-art cold chain, packaging and quality control system for potato processing, the Food Technology and Quality Office has approved the export of its products, he said. The industry is currently producing French fries as well as clinical cuts, smiles, hash browns, smokey bites, potato tikkis, veg sticks, burger patties, and potato wedges.

Director Poudel said that the industry has received 40 containers of demand from the US alone and is now exporting 2 to 3 containers every week. First Choice Foods has connected more than 35,000 farmers from 26 districts of Nepal to the industry. Through collaboration with farmers, the company has been purchasing thousands of metric tons of potatoes annually.

According to Director Poudel, the industry had purchased more than 2,000 metric tons of potatoes from farmers last year alone. ‘We have established direct relations with farmers,’ he said, ‘The industry provides seeds, fertilizers, training, and technical support to farmers. After production, we go to the fields and purchase potatoes. Farmers do not have to worry about the market. The industry is purchasing potatoes from farmers in Kailali, Nawalpur, Sindhuli, Kavre, Makawanpur, Chitwan, Dang, and Bara-Parsa. The industry claims that this series of frozen potato products is the first in Nepal to be operated using European technology. The company's factory is spread over an area of ​​about 5 bighas and has an area of ​​60,000 square feet. The head of the Bhairahawa Customs Office, Shivlal Neupane, said that the export of French fries is good news for Nepali farmers. "For the first time, Nepali French fries are reaching America," he said. "38,200 US dollars have entered Nepal from the first export. We are confident that this will continue." The quality of the company's products was tested by the US FDA before being exported to the US. Neupane said that the export permit was obtained only after the necessary criteria were met.

Director Poudel said that the industry has received a demand of 40 containers from the US alone and is now exporting 2 to 3 containers every week. The French fries produced here have a shelf life of 18 months. According to the Bhairahawa Customs Office, frozen food worth more than 10 billion rupees is imported into Nepal every year.

More than 200 Nepali workers have now been employed at First Choice Foods. The industry is delivering its products to consumers in the Nepali market through 5 distributors, 12 chain restaurants, 150 suppliers, more than 400 restaurants and 171 modern marts.