General News
7 November, 2025
Farm Frites brings $300 million manufacturing hub to the Wimmera
The green light for potato chip production in the Wimmera was announced by the Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson, on Wednesday, November 5.
The green light for potato chip production in the Wimmera was announced by the Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson, on Wednesday, November 5.
The green light for potato chip production in the Wimmera was announced by the Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson, on Wednesday, November 5.
Farm Frites Australia will establish a $300 million APAC manufacturing base in Dooen to manufacture its popular frozen chips using Australian produce, creating 250 new local jobs.
Farm Frites Australia supplies frozen chips, fries, and other potato-based products to takeaways, pubs, clubs, and fast-food restaurants, including KFC and Hungry Jacks, right across Australia.
The 24-hour production facility, located next to the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Hub, will support Australian farmers, create jobs for local workers, and offer training and career opportunities for students in a region with a proud agricultural history, the announcement said.
Once operational in 2027, it will have the capacity to process up to 250,000 tonnes of Australian-grown potatoes every year.
Farm Frites Australia General Manager Kieran Prestidge said he was delighted the company was establishing its first Australian production plant in the Wimmera.
“Dooen is perfectly located between the best growing regions in Australia and has excellent road and rail links, which will help us put more Australian produce on plates and tables all around the country,” Mr Prestidge said.
The Development Licence application for the manufacturing plant will be constructed and operated at the Wimmera Agriculture and Logistics Hub on Freight Terminal Road at Dooen near the Western Interstate Freight Terminal.
The new food processing facility was granted planning permit approval under the Victorian State Government’s Development Facilitation Program, which expedites planning decisions for eligible projects that will inject investment into the Victorian economy.
Horsham Rural City Council acting mayor Brian Klowss welcomed the announcement.
“We are thrilled at the announcement by Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Farm Frites to our region,” he said.
“This is a huge tick of approval for our agricultural community.
"It will support Australian farmers, create jobs for local workers, and offer training and career opportunities for students.
“We are extremely grateful to the State Government for their support of our agricultural industries, and their recognition of the crucial role our region plays in domestic and export food supply chains as a huge contributor to food security.”
Farm Frites is one of the main potato growers and seed potato breeders in the world and supplies potato products to over 100 countries from its factories in the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and Egypt.
"The Dooen plant will be its first in the southern hemisphere – a major coup for Horsham Rural City – highlighting its proud agricultural history and excellent transport connections," the mayor said.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes said, “Regional Victoria has the resources and workforce that make it an ideal place to do business, which is why we’ve supported this new facility, because it creates more local jobs.”
After a national search, Farm Frites Australia settled on Dooen, near Horsham, to open the manufacturing facility.
Farm Frites is one of the main potato growers and seed potato breeders in the world.
It supplies potato products to over 100 countries from its factories in the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and Egypt.
“This is a huge investment that will see hundreds of jobs created for local workers, driving revenue for the Wimmera and right across the state,” said Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson.
“We’re proudly backing companies to invest in advanced manufacturing because we know it is key to unlocking economic growth and creating more opportunities for all Victorians.”
Once operational in 2027, the manufacturing plant will have the capacity to process up to 250,000 tonnes of Australian-grown potatoes every year.
The new food processing facility was granted planning permit approval under the Labor Government’s Development Facilitation Program, which expedites planning decisions for eligible projects that will inject investment into the Victorian economy – creating new jobs and promoting economic growth.
The new $150 million Victorian Investment Fund has $50 million set aside for a regional stream to accelerate growth in priority sectors, including advanced manufacturing and agribusiness.