Fries of Fortune

The global French fries market is worth around $24 billion, but just a couple of decades ago, India was a net importer of frozen potatoes. So how did a country that relied on European traders to introduce the "batata" centuries ago quietly transform into a processing giant, shipping frozen potato products worth ₹1,817 crores in FY25 nearly nine times its exports just five years prior?Join us as we peel back the layers on this massive agricultural and logistical transformation. We explore how global players like McCain Foods set up shop in Gujarat, the rise of local powerhouses like HyFun Foods, and the simple contract farming strategy that helped boost farmer incomes by an average of 75% since 2017. Discover the secrets behind the perfect golden color and crispiness, from the specialized 'Santana' and 'Frysona' potato varieties to the crucial work of Indian scientists at CPRI.From planting table potatoes to exporting specialized, low-sugar varieties that rival Europe's best, this is the fascinating story of how India went from being a net importer to supplying key markets across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, turning a humble crop into a powerful global export.⁠Support ALL IS MONEY