Just ahead of the International Day of the Potato on May 30, McCain Foods has published its inaugural Spud Report, based on a global consumer study conducted in collaboration with Pollara Strategic Insights. Surveying more than 12,000 people in 11 countries, the research explores how people eat, share and enjoy potatoes and fries in all forms. From late-night traditions to family dinner tables, fries are enjoyed around the world – creating moments and shared experiences that cross cultures and borders, the report explores how people eat, share and enjoy potatoes and fries.
The report’s verdict is clear: fries reign supreme. Across every country surveyed, french fries ranked as the most popular potato dish overall, outperforming local classics and traditional favorites alike.
“Food has a unique way of connecting people, and fries are no exception,” said Charlie Angelakos, vice president, external Affairs and sustainability at McCain. “The Spud Report confirms something we’ve known instinctively for years: fries are more than a side dish – they’re part of everyday rituals around the world. As a company founded in Canada and now operating in more than 160 countries, we’re proud to help bring those shared moments to tables around the world.”
Strong Feelings About Fries
The report reveals that fries spark emotion, connection, and surprisingly strong opinions around the planet:
• 78% of respondents globally said consuming fries improves their mood
• 55% said fries make them feel happy, while 46% say they make them feel relaxed
• One in three of those surveyed agreed that sharing fries feels more intimate than holding hands
• Half of the respondents say they have put fries inside a sandwich
• Taking fries from someone else’s plate without asking is a frowned-upon behavior, though 56% of parents admit to stealing fries from their own children – without getting caught
• 67% of respondents have eaten fries after 10 PM, highlighting a universal late-night routine
Part of Canadian Food Culture
• Canada stands apart from the rest of the world when it comes to sharing fries, with only one in six Canadian respondents agreeing that doing so feels more intimate than holding hands
• 68% of Canadians said double-dipping is unacceptable, yet 44% admit they still do it
• 71% said they get annoyed when someone takes fries off their plate without asking, yet 38% confess they’ve done the same
• 67% of Canadian parents admit to secretly stealing fries from their kids
• 63% of Canadians reach for ketchup as their favorite dip
• Canada may be one of the few places where deciding where to eat can come down to one thing: fries. More than half of Canadians (52%) said it’s important for a restaurant to serve fries – and Canadians are also among the most likely globally to prefer eating fries out at restaurants rather than at home.
The full Spud Report is available at: www.mccain.com/spudreport
About McCain Foods
McCain Foods Limited is a family-owned business founded in 1957 in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Canada. Today, the company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of frozen potato products and a global leader in prepared appetizers and snacks. Its products can be found in restaurants and retail stores in more than 160 countries. The company has major production, retail and corporate operations around the world, employs approximately 22,000 people, operates 49 production facilities on six continents, partners with 4,400 farmers and generates annual sales in excess of $16 billion CAD.
