Agristo's frozen potato plant in Grand Forks, the company's first in North America, is now expected to start production with the fall 2029 harvest, a year later than first planned, according to the Grand Forks Herald, PotatoPro and grandforks.org.
The timeline
The Herald reported that Agristo extended construction by one year; earlier coverage had pointed to a fall 2028 start. The Herald reported that City Administrator Todd Feland said the extra year was meant to avoid rushing construction. The company broke ground at a July 7, 2026 ceremony, the Herald and Spudman reported. The site is about 350 acres, per the Herald and Spudman.
The cost, where figures have changed
PotatoPro and KVRR reported a $450 million development agreement with the city in August 2025. Potato Business and Construction Review Online now put the investment above $1 billion. We have not seen an official updated figure from the company or the city.
What it means for Grand Forks
- Jobs: The Herald reported 300 to 350 permanent positions. PotatoPro and the Herald reported that Project Director Ruben Devos told the City Council in March that plant, transport, sales and HR directors had been hired locally.
- Farmers: PotatoPro reported the plant would draw on more than 50 growers, mainly in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota, and about 20,000 acres at full operation, based on an Agristo estimate. Contract terms and pricing have not been published in the coverage we reviewed.
- Construction: The extra year stretches the building period into another season. The reporting we found does not give peak construction headcount.
Check ahead
Dates and costs have shifted more than once. Check grandforks.org and the Grand Forks Herald for updates.
