A solid 2024 performance and ambitious prospects to address the challenges of agricultural and agri-food sectors

2024: Sustained activity confirming the relevance of Sofiprotéol’s model

Adapting to uncertainties in a complex context 

The year 2024 was marked by persistent geopolitical tensions, political instability in Europe, and climatic hazards impacting agricultural production. French harvests recorded significant declines, around 30% for wheat, sunflower, and peas. These conditions have reinforced the need to support agricultural and food sectors to remain competitive and resilient.

Continuous support across the entire value chain 

In 2024, Sofiprotéol invested €98 million in nine major operations, confirming its role as a catalyst for structuring projects. These investments are part of a long-term strategy aimed at supporting evolving consumer expectations while preparing for the future.

Among the main operations of the year:

• Maïsadour: This financing notably allows this South-West Cooperative to support R&D investments in its Seeds branch. This project helps address climate challenges while strengthening the resilience of local producers.
• Ciacam: As the French leader in dried vegetables, Ciacam was supported to continue its development momentum. Among its objectives, strengthening local supplies contributes to the structuring of the French legume sector, essential to meet the growing demand for plant proteins.
• Sophie Lebreuilly: An innovative player in the bakery-pastry sector, the company received funding to accelerate its development, notably with the opening of new bakeries and the improvement of its production capacities. This project illustrates Sofiprotéol’s commitment to supporting companies that transform food sustainably.

Supporting innovation for sustainable transitions

• Partnership with CapAgro: As a founding partner, Sofiprotéol supports CapAgro, a fund aimed at accelerating the growth of AgTech and FoodTech by financing young innovative companies. In 2024, CapAgro secured a new fundraising, reaching over €115 million.

Specific initiatives to tackle emerging challenges:

• Start-ups as key players in AgTech Innovation: Sofiprotéol launched a second call for projects with La Ferme Digitale, after initially allocating a budget of €250,000 to support innovative start-ups. Three winning projects focus on technological solutions to address agroecological challenges of oilseed and protein crops.
• Support for research and development: Through the Strategic Actions Fund for Oilseeds (FASO), managed by Sofiprotéol on behalf of the interprofession, an ambitious public/private collaborative research program was funded to find alternative solutions to the discontinuation of pesticide approvals. Such an initiative aims to strengthen crop resilience to climatic and health challenges.

An ambition rooted in CSR commitments

Driven by Avril’s Purpose: “Serving the Earth,” Sofiprotéol’s CSR policy has for several years included systematic monitoring of objectives on three criteria: Safety, Carbon & Governance. Beyond monitoring these plans, Sofiprotéol develops a very concrete and collaborative approach to CSR issues.

Among the actions taken in 2024:

• Health and safety at work: The “SofiCare” program, which aims to share and disseminate experiences and best practices from Sofiprotéol and Avril’s portfolio companies and subsidiaries, continues and amplifies its deployment.
• Territories and climate change adaptation: Sofiprotéol organized workshops for certain storage organizations it supports on the impact of climate change at the territorial level. 15 steps for a true co-construction work on the ground, to identify concrete solutions and action plans.
• Prospective and new outlets: Sofiprotéol conducts, notably with the support of FASO, prospective studies aimed at anticipating new outlets for oilseed and protein crops while strengthening the competitiveness of sectors. This year, for example, a prospective study explored the potential of plant fibers in the decarbonization of materials and the economy.

2025: A proactive dynamic serving the sectors

Sofiprotéol is committed to proactively supporting agricultural and agri-food sectors in their necessary adaptation to several challenges:

• Macroeconomic challenges: Market instability, resource pressure, and value chain evolutions.
• Climate challenges: Urgency of transitioning to sustainable practices to preserve ecosystems.
• Transformation of production methods: Increased digitalization and modernization of infrastructures.

In this context, French agri-food companies have serious assets: structured sectors, a dynamic of innovation, and know-how recognized worldwide.

By providing adapted financing and long-term visibility, Sofiprotéol is a key partner enabling companies in the agricultural and agri-food sectors to deploy these assets for their transformation and growth.

The year 2024 has proven our ability to meet the challenges of agricultural and food sectors while paving the way for innovative solutions. 2025 will be a year to amplify this momentum and strengthen our partnerships to better anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

According to Xavier Dorchies, Deputy CEO of Sofiprotéol