McCain Foods and Cargill are deepening their long-standing partnership to drive innovation and sustainability in India’s frozen food category. With a shared commitment towards sustainability and innovation, both companies are working together to deliver great tasting, responsibly produced food options to Indian consumers.
The rising popularity of French fries in India is evident by the growth of the frozen potato food industry in India, projected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.3% between 2025 – 2033.
Rising disposable incomes, easy digital access, and rapid QSR (quick-service restaurants) expansion have fuelled both production and consumption in this category. Also impacting this category growth are the changing consumer preferences towards health, nutrition, transparency, and sustainability.
The Cargill–McCain partnership is at the forefront of this transformation, together developing next-generation solutions that balance taste, convenience, and better-for-you attributes.
McCain, one of the dominant frozen potato players in India since, has forged a strategic partnership with Cargill for nearly two decades. What began as end-to-end technical support from Cargill has since evolved into a longstanding strategic collaboration. Today, Cargill’s partnership with McCain is not just delivering significant volumes, but also ensuring responsiveness to market dynamics, social trends, and evolving consumer preferences.
With a shared commitment to protect the planet through responsible and sustainable practices, McCain led the transition to 100% RSPO Segregated palm oil across its India portfolio — a first for the frozen foods industry in India — with Cargill as a key supply partner enabling this shift. A significant step towards more sustainable sourcing, this helped establish McCain as a pioneer in India in the use of segregated palm oil. Cargill, McCain’s trusted supplier of high-performance edible oils, played a pivotal role in enabling this transition.
As India’s health and wellness food market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18.5% through 2031, consumers are demanding both convenience and nutrition. McCain and Cargill are well-positioned to meet this demand through ready-to-eat, better-for-you alternatives. Both companies are also developing next-generation soft oil blend solutions aimed at offering consumers French fries with enhanced product profiles and consistent quality.
These innovations demonstrate a commitment to innovation rooted in consumer insight, addressing the evolving needs of Indian consumers and the fast-growing QSR ecosystem.
Mainak Dhar, Managing Director, McCain Foods India, said, “At McCain, we believe in celebrating real connections through delicious, planet-friendly food. Our partnership reflects this shared vision — working together to support farmers in adopting regenerative practices that build healthier soils, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen resilient supply chains. We have worked hand-in-hand with Cargill to create a real, lasting change — fostering trust, sharing knowledge, and nurturing a spirit of collaboration that goes beyond business. Our innovations not only nurture stronger communities and ecosystems but also ensure that the food we bring to the table is better for people and the planet. Together, we have built partnerships and connections that are as enduring as they are meaningful,” he added.
Dheeraj Talreja, Vice President and Managing Director, Food South Asia, Cargill, said, “Our partnership with McCain reflects the power of collaboration and innovation. Together, we’ve built trusted solutions that advance product quality, sustainability, and consumer value. With our shared purpose and long-standing relationship, I’m confident we’ll continue to strengthen this partnership and shape the future of India’s food industry.”
Cargill and McCain are together laying the foundation for a more sustainable future and setting benchmarks in the frozen food category — combining sustainable sourcing and product innovation, to enhance quality, better-for-you attributes, and consumer delight.