Commodity chain : Sunflower
- Country :
- France
- Production area :
- Mainly South East of France (Rhône valley) and Centre region
- Start date of the Organic Solidarity program :
- December 9th, 2008
- Number of recipients :
- ~ 150 producers
- Crop :
- Oleic and linoleic sunflower
- Surface area :
- ~ 450 ha (~1,100 acres)
Background History of the Commodity Chain
Concerned about guaranteeing its supplies of a strategic product, sunflower, the oil mill has given preference to French operators for 30 years and sought to build a sunflower commodity chain.
Before 2001, some fifty producers from the South East were bringing their production at the time of harvesting directly to the oil mill. Such an organisation was the source of many problems: lack of homogeneity in the quality (humidity, impurities), large quantities to receive and to grind up in little time.
The decision was taken to create a new partnership with the local co-ops (Etablissement Souchard, Sud Céréales...), to organise these producers. This has allowed to distribute supplies throughout the year, to better manage quality (drying and cleaning), and to have one representative to spread the needs of the oil mill and to negotiate contracts.
For the last 8 years, the development of the sources of supply from Eastern Europe has driven prices down for seeds and oil (cheaper workforce, unfavourable rate of exchange, ...). Considering the above, it appeared necessary to better promote our sources of local supplies. This allows for a continuous improvement of quality (traceability, management of standards,...), for an optimisation of ecological costs and for a better overall transparency.
Description of the partnership
Co-ops bring their technical advice to producers on distribution of seeds, harvesting, quality control and storage.
In December or January each year, Huilerie Emile Noël informs each operator of the quantities to be sowed in April. It transforms the seeds into oil, does the packaging and puts it on the market. The oil mill has an internal laboratory which allows for a quick response on quality of the oil produced from the seeds which have been received.
Partners
Co-ops : Etablissement Souchard, Union Bio Sud Est, Agralys Bio, Drômoise de Céréales, Biosud, Dornier
Transformer : L'huilerie Emile Noël
Internal Commitment of some of the partners for a sustainable production
The supply strategy of Huilerie Emile Noël gives priority to local commodity chains. Tests are being run to develop new chains (marrow seeds, milk thistle, ...).
The company has also installed 800m2 of photovoltaic panels and is running an ISO 14001 study.
Companies engaged in this Commodity Chain
