Frozen chips maker plans new $425 million factory in Victoria

Farm Frites, a Dutch frozen potato products manufacturer, is planning to build a new, $425 million plant at Dooen, in Victoria’s Wimmera region.

The speciality frozen chip supplier is planning to build the 24-hour production facility in the Wimmera Agriculture and Logistics Hub, located in the middle of Victoria, NSW and South Australia’s potato growing region.

The new, 30-hectare food processing plant, the company’s first in Australia, would create about 250 jobs for local workers.

It is slated to begin construction as soon as the end of the year, pending approvals, and begin production in 2027.

Farm Frites Australia general manager Kieran Prestidge said the Dooen site was the perfect place for the company’s first Australian factory.

“This central location, as well as Dooen’s ideal connections to the national road freight and rail network, make it the right place for our first Australian factory,” he said.

Prestidge said the development was subject to approvals by the State Government, Horsham Rural City Council and the Environment Protection Authority.

“We’re thrilled to be making this investment in Dooen and in the Wimmera and excited to become a long-term, trusted member of this proud agricultural region,” he said.

Mayor Cr Ian Ross said the region is “excited to welcome the Farm Frites proposal to our community and look forward to the positive impact this investment will have on our local economy and job market”.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Horsham and the Wimmera region,” Cr Ross said.

Farm Frites supplies wholesale to pubs, clubs and fast food restaurants like KFC and Hungry Jacks.