Frozen French Fries Worth NPR 5 Million Exported to the USA in a Single Day
5th November 2025, Kathmandu
In a landmark achievement for Nepal’s nascent agro-industrial sector, First Choice Foods Pvt. Ltd. has successfully completed its inaugural export of frozen French fries (chilled potato sticks) to the United States.
Frozen French Fries Export
This significant shipment, valued at over NPR 5 million (USD 38,480) and totaling 43,520 kilograms across two containers, marks a crucial moment in the nation’s efforts to diversify its export portfolio and boost foreign currency earnings.
The Rupandehi-based company’s consignment was exported to the American firm Gent Co LLC, DBA TCF Foods. By cracking the highly competitive US market, First Choice Foods, already established as the largest French fries producer in Nepal, demonstrates the potential of Nepali processed food to meet stringent international quality and safety standards.
The Economic Significance of the Milestone Export
While the monetary value of a single shipment may seem modest in the context of Nepal’s overall trade, its strategic significance is immense, acting as a powerful proof-of-concept for the entire Nepali industrial ecosystem. Nepal’s economy is historically challenged by a massive trade deficit, where imports vastly outweigh exports. The traditional export basket to the US is heavily concentrated in handicrafts and textiles, such as carpets and pashmina. This French fry shipment signifies the diversification of Nepali exports into the high-value, organized processed food sector.
This move is a direct step towards fulfilling two critical national economic goals:
Import Substitution: Nepal currently grapples with an annual import bill of at least NPR 1.5 billion for various potato products alone, sourced from countries like India and Belgium. First Choice Foods, with a substantial daily potato processing capacity of 30 tons, is already successfully substituting these imports, making locally produced, high-quality alternatives available across major domestic retail chains like Bhat-Bhateni and Big Mart.
Foreign Currency Earning: Penetrating the US market is a gateway to sustained dollar earnings. Every new export category strengthens Nepal’s balance of payments, which is heavily reliant on remittances from migrant workers. Establishing a foothold in developed markets like the US and the Middle East creates a sustainable, long-term source of foreign exchange, crucial for national economic stability.
The Bhairahawa Customs Office rightly highlighted this export as an important step for the development of new Nepali industries and entrepreneurial growth, committing to continuous improvement in services and procedural efficiency to further promote exports.
From Local Success to Global Standards: First Choice Foods’ Journey
First Choice Foods’ journey is a perfect example of a successful vertical integration model in the agro-sector. The company was founded with a clear vision to redefine the potato processing industry by focusing on locally grown potatoes. By sourcing raw materials from thousands of farmers across multiple districts, the company is directly contributing to the economic prosperity and modernization of Nepal’s agricultural base.
The transition from a domestic focus, and initial exports to the neighboring Indian market, to entering the US is a testament to the company’s commitment to meeting global quality benchmarks. The fact that the company has obtained key international certifications, such as BRCGS certification for food safety and registration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was non-negotiable for entering such a stringent market. This rigorous adherence to international standards creates a positive ripple effect, elevating the entire value chain—from the farm to the processing unit—and preparing other Nepali agro-industries for global competition.
Challenges and the Path Forward for the Frozen Food Sector
Despite this success, the path for Nepal’s frozen food export sector is not without its challenges. Being a landlocked country, Nepalese exporters constantly face high logistics and transportation costs, which can impact the competitiveness of the final product price. Furthermore, continuous production requires a consistent supply of quality raw materials, demanding significant ongoing investment in agricultural research, development of high-yielding potato varieties, and robust cold storage infrastructure to minimize post-harvest losses.
However, the opportunities significantly outweigh the obstacles. The success of First Choice Foods demonstrates that Nepali agricultural products can be transformed into high-value, exportable items. This achievement is expected to inspire other domestic producers to invest in modern processing technology, quality certification, and branding, ultimately transforming Nepal from a net importer of processed foods into a regional exporter.
The groundwork laid by this first shipment has opened a new commercial channel, paving the way for further exports of not just French fries, but a variety of frozen and processed agricultural products, securing a more diversified and resilient economic future for Nepal.
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