Frozen French fries is processed potato product that is pre-cut, partially fried, and frozen for convenience. In Bhutan, 71.82 MT of processed potatoes worth 9.61 million Ngultrum was imported in 2024 to meet the demand from restaurants, hotels, and food outlets. This dependence on imports highlights both the popularity of the product and the limited availability of locally processed alternatives. Developing local production of frozen French fries would not only reduce imports but also add value to locally produced potatoes and support the growth of Bhutan’s agro- processing sector. Bhutan produced a total of 37,778 MT of potatoes in 2024.
Currently the demand for French fries in Bhutan is either met through import of frozen French fries or own preparation. A survey was conducted in Thimphu from 3-4 August 2025 by engaging the importers, retailers and restaurants who deal with frozen French fries as part of their business. A total of 15 business entities were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire: three potato frozen French fries importers, three retail sellers, and nine restaurant owners selling French fries.
Click here to read full report
