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European Union

European Investment Bank Supports Sodiaal, France's Largest Dairy Cooperative

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Investment Bank has granted a EUR70 million loan to Sodiaal, France's largest dairy cooperative, to support its research and development investment, safeguarding the business model of its over 14,500 member farmers and strengthening their competitiveness in the market. The project will also help make the dairy sector greener. This financing is part of the EIB's expanded assistance for agriculture, the bioeconomy, and innovation via its new TechEU programme. TechEU aims to provide large-scale support for research and development, digital transformation, and the adoption of new practices to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy while reducing its environmental impact.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Investment Bank has granted a EUR70 million loan to Sodiaal, France's largest dairy cooperative, to support its research and development investment from 2025 to 2028.
  • The project will benefit over 14,500 member farmers and help make the dairy sector greener.
  • This financing is part of the EIB's expanded assistance for agriculture, the bioeconomy, and innovation via its new TechEU programme.
  • TechEU aims to provide large-scale support for research and development, digital transformation, and the adoption of new practices to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy while reducing its environmental impact.
  • The EIB financing 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.
  • This is the second time the EIB has provided financing to Sodiaal, with an initial EUR40 million loan for research, development, and innovation granted in 2018.
  • Sodiaal's cooperative model allows for the redistribution of 100% of profits to its member farmers.
  • The Sodiaal cooperative is led by its chairman, Jean-Michel Javelle, while Antoine Collette is its managing director.
  • The EIB Group signed nearly EUR89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe's competitiveness and security.

Statistics:

  • EUR70 million: the amount of the loan granted to Sodiaal by the European Investment Bank
  • 14,500: the number of member farmers benefiting from the project
  • EUR40 million: the initial loan granted to Sodiaal by the EIB in 2018
  • 100%: the percentage of profits redistributed to Sodiaal's member farmers through the cooperative model
  • EUR26.2 billion: the EU budget guarantee backing the InvestEU Fund
  • EUR372 billion: the estimated mobilization of additional investment through the InvestEU programme

Sources:

  • European Investment Bank (2024) - https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2025-336-france-eib-backs-sodiaal-france-s-largest-dairy-cooperative
  • InvestEU programme - https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_19_3040
  • Sodiaal - https://www.sodiaal.coop/

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