McCain To Begin Production In Southeast Asia

Canadian-based McCain Foods is looking to begin regional manufacturing for the Southeast Asian frozen-food market in the next five years after having opened plants in China, Taiwan and India.

Asia-Pacific vice president for Southeast Asia Hans Polstra said McCain has not yet decided when to build a Southeast Asian plant but is studying business potential and the availability of local ingredients.

McCain Foods recently appointed Surapon Foods as its exclusive distributor in Thailand. Surapon domestic general manager Virachai Hiranyasthiti said customer response to McCain's frozen french fries was encouraging with average monthly sales of four million baht (US$97,560). Virachai said McCain aims to take 15% of the 500-million-baht (US$12.1-million Thai frozen french fry market by the end of the year.