Our local impact

Securing a supply of agricultural raw materials depends on effective management of the entire value chain, from seed procurement to the marketing of oils and derived products. To this end, Avril works to diversify and structure responsible sourcing, in close collaboration with producers and local communities.

In Brazil, Oleon is building a castor oil supply chain for the local market; the oil has unique properties for essential industrial applications, such as lubricants, coatings, and sustainable polymers.
Oleon is supporting the structuring of this supply chain by working with both small-scale producers and large-scale farms, particularly through the development of castor as an intercrop in soybean rotations.

The project to establish the Meknes Oilseed Technical Center (CTOM) was officially launched on January 8, 2026. This initiative is led by the Interprofessional Federation of Oilseeds (FOLEA), in partnership with Agropol, the international cooperation agency for the French oilseed and protein crop sector, and Avril. It aims to provide rapeseed and sunflower producers in the Fez-Meknes region with sustainable technical and organizational solutions rooted in their local area.
As a member of the Moroccan Oilseed Industry Group (GIOM), which brings together Lesieur Cristal and Huileries Souss Belhassan, Avril contributes to the structuring of the sector, technical monitoring, training, and the operational support necessary for the ramp-up of local production.

Avril supports the development of French rice and legume sectors in order to secure sustainable supplies, strengthen food sovereignty, and create value in local communities. Through its subsidiary Vivien Paille, the Group is developing long-term partnerships with producers to improve traceability and support the evolution of farming practices.

In the Camargue, an initiative led by Vivien Paille, public authorities, and stakeholders in the sector aims to consolidate French rice production. The tripartite agreement between Vivien Paille, and the Arterris cooperative reinforces this momentum by securing volumes, ensuring fair compensation for rice farmers, and reducing environmental impacts, in line with the EGalim law (États généraux de l’alimentation).

Vivien Paille has also launched a strategy to diversify green lentil production areas by expanding into new regions, notably the Hauts-de-France region. For the past three years, in partnership with UNEAL, a local agricultural cooperative, Vivien Paille has been building a local green lentil supply chain, offering agronomic support and secure market access.

In 2025, Avril is strengthening its contribution to the sovereignty of agricultural and agri-food sectors in France and Europe. The Group is focusing on strategic areas: animal nutrition and local processing. Through strategic partnerships, targeted investments, and support for local SMEs, Avril is building sustainable production capacity to bolster the resilience of agricultural and agri-food sectors.

Sofiprotéol, Avril’s financing and development company, plays a key role in strengthening France’s agricultural and agri-food sector, particularly by supporting SMEs and cooperative groups with strong local roots. As a long-term minority investor, Sofiprotéol supports these companies during their growth and consolidation phases, taking a 360-degree approach to the value chain.

In 2025, this commitment is reflected in investments in SMEs with a strong local impact, such as Flanquart, a specialist in seed-based ingredients, and Armbruster, a long-standing player in agricultural trading in Alsace. Sofiprotéol is also renewing its commitment to Fromageries Lincet, a leader in AOP/IGP (Protected Designation of Origin / Protected Geographical Indication) cheeses in Burgundy, contributing to the preservation of regional expertise.