Investment Overview
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €70 million loan to Sodiaal, France's largest dairy cooperative, to support its research, development, and innovation initiatives from 2025 to 2028. This funding aims to enhance Sodiaal's competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.
Support for Sustainability
The project is designed to make the dairy sector more sustainable, aligning with the EIB's broader goals of supporting agriculture and innovation through the TechEU initiative. The loan is backed by the European Union's InvestEU programme, which focuses on innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness in strategic sectors.
Previous Collaborations
This is the second instance of EIB financing for Sodiaal, following an initial €40 million loan in 2018 for research, development, and innovation. The continued partnership underscores the cooperative's commitment to innovation and environmental improvement while maintaining economic stability for its members.
Sector Impact
Sodiaal, with over 8,000-member dairy farms and more than 14,500-member farmers, owns brands like Yoplait, Candia, and Entremont. The cooperative's activities include producing drinking milk, cheeses, butters, yogurts, infant dairy products, and dairy ingredients. The EIB's support is crucial for accelerating projects that align profitability with sustainability, ensuring the cooperative's long-term success in the face of international competition and market fluctuations.
