Kathmandu — In a remarkable push to elevate Nepal’s agri-based manufacturing sector, First Choice Food Pvt. Ltd. (FCF) has emerged as a leading processor and exporter of French fries made from locally sourced potatoes. With the slogan “Farmers’ Effort, Our Pride,” the company is turning Nepal’s rural harvest into an international product, now being exported to India and eyeing further global expansion.
Chairman Krishna Prasad Paudel revealed that FCF is working with farmers from 19 districts across Nepal and has already processed over 2,000 metric tons of potatoes this year alone. “We’ve begun exporting to India and are preparing for additional international markets,” he said, noting that the journey hasn’t been without challenges—especially concerning bureaucratic hurdles at customs checkpoints during export.
Despite the complications, the company is scaling up. According to shareholder Laxmi Paudel, FCF has already attracted over NPR 2 billion in investment and is actively contributing to job creation across its supply chain. “French fries might seem simple, but they’ve become a source of employment for hundreds. Our next goal is to attract foreign investment and scale further,” she added.
FCF has strategically selected three potato varieties—Sagitta, Innovation, and Quintara—for their low sugar content and suitability for high-quality fry production. These choices reflect the company’s focus on both taste and nutritional standards.
With strong backing, a clear vision, and a foundation built on domestic agriculture, First Choice Food is rapidly becoming a flagship example of how Nepali enterprises can blend local resources with global ambition.
