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European Investment Bank Grants €70 Million Loan to French Dairy Cooperative Sodiaal

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Investment Bank has granted a €70 million loan to Sodiaal, France's largest dairy cooperative, to support its research and development investment and help its over 14,500 member farmers strengthen their competitiveness in the dairy sector. This loan is backed by a guarantee under the European Union's InvestEU programme, which supports innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness in strategic sectors of the European economy. The project aims to make the dairy sector greener and is part of the EIB's expanded assistance for agriculture, the bioeconomy, and innovation via its new TechEU programme.

Key Takeaways:

  • The €70 million EIB loan will support Sodiaal's research and development investment, helping its member farmers to strengthen their competitiveness in the dairy sector.
  • The loan is backed by a guarantee under the European Union's InvestEU programme, which aims to support innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness in strategic sectors of the European economy.
  • The project will make the dairy sector greener and is part of the EIB's expanded assistance for agriculture, the bioeconomy, and innovation via its new TechEU programme.
  • The loan will help Sodiaal to finance its research, development, and innovation programmes from 2025 to 2028.
  • The EIB financing is part of its support for agriculture, but also for innovation via the TechEU initiative.
  • Sodiaal has over 8,000-member dairy farms and more than 14,500 member farmers, and owns the Yoplait, Candia, and Entremont brands.
  • The cooperative's activities include the production of drinking milk, cheeses, butters, yogurts, infant dairy products, and dairy ingredients.
  • This is the second time the EIB has provided financing to Sodiaal, with an initial €40 million loan for research, development, and innovation granted in 2018.
  • The new loan shows the stronger long-term partnership with the EIB and the cooperative's positive efforts to continue to innovate and improve its environmental practices while preserving the economic stability of its members.
  • The EIB Group, which includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe's competitiveness and security.
  • Almost 60% of annual EIB Group financing supports projects that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment.

Statistics:

  • The €70 million EIB loan will support Sodiaal's research and development investment.
  • The loan is backed by a guarantee under the European Union's InvestEU programme, which has a budget guarantee of €26.2 billion.
  • The programme aims to mobilise at least €372 billion in additional investment.
  • Sodiaal has over 8,000-member dairy farms and more than 14,500 member farmers.
  • The cooperative's activities include the production of drinking milk, cheeses, butters, yogurts, infant dairy products, and dairy ingredients.
  • The EIB Group signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024.
  • Almost 60% of annual EIB Group financing supports projects that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment.

Sources:

  • European Commission
  • European Investment Bank
  • Sodiaal
  • InvestEU Programme
  • European Commission Copyright 2017 Contify.com

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