According to Alberta’s Agriculture and Forestry Minister, the province’s potato industry couldn’t be at a better place.

All part of the 51st Alberta Potato Conference held at the Sheraton Hotel in Red Deer last night (Nov. 15), Minister Oneil Carlier, along with many potato farmers, celebrated the billion-dollar industry.

With a new Cavendish plant expected to open in the summer of 2019 in Lethbridge, Carlier said the impact to Albertans is huge.

Not only in Southern Alberta, but the entire province.

“It’s a $350 investment in a plant that’s going to produce frozen french fries and other frozen potato appetizers. A lot of people are going to be employed when it’s up in operation. It shows that Alberta is a great place to set up business and a great place to grow potatoes,” said Carlier.

Over 10,000 acres for potatoes will be required to meet the needs of the plant, which will come from all over the province, including Central Alberta.

Executive Director of the Potato Growers of Alberta Terence Hochstein said he doesn’t seeing it slowing down anytime soon.

“It’s thriving and it’s expanding. We’re about a $200 million farm gate industry in the province. The economic value within this province, we generate about $1 billion annually within our industry.”

The evening also highlighted the release of a cookbook called Potato on Every Plate, and a history book called A Window to the Past, celebrating PGA’s 50 years of being established.