” Hope it lasts… ” commented this Friday, June 4, a member of Isigny-Sainte-Mère, at the end of the general assembly (digital) of the cooperative. On the banks of the Aure, the river that crosses Isigny-sur-Mer (Calvados), dairy processor shows good health : historic collection of 301 million liters of milk (+ 4%), turnover up 12% to 507 million euros, of which 60% from exports, ever higher profitability (EBITDA) (71 million euros, + 27%). Enough to pay the 425 dairy farms in Calvados and La Manche the highest milk remuneration in France, at € 408.25 per tonne (including premiums and rebates).
“Despite the Covid crisis, 2020 activity remained satisfactory or even very satisfactory” , summarized Daniel Delahaye, Managing Director of Isigny-Sainte-Mère. During the closure of the out-of-home catering, the dairy cooperative succeeded in “ switch large volumes to mass distribution (+ 17%) ” , recalled Arnaud Fossey, president of Isigny-Sainte-Mère.
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Isigny Ste Mère exports 60% of its production. © Ouest-France infographic
Butter, cream and cheeses have found their customers except in the United Kingdom, the largest European market in Isigny-Sainte-Mère. Blame it on Brexit. “It was the goose that laid the golden eggs twenty years ago. Today, Americans and Asians also consume our soft pasta. The cheese and wine (cheese and wine) there is a tendency among young people… ”
Top infant milk powder
Export is in the DNA of the Normans (304 million euros, + 14%). A specialist in infant milk powder, Isigny-Sainte-Mère feeds 2.5 million babies around the world every day. With its 250 different formulas, this pharmaceutical grade product has been in the dairy industry’s heyday since 1952. First for Americans and more recently for the Chinese market.
The Covid-19 pandemic will not have managed to stop the pace of exports in 2020 (+ 17% to 276 million euros). With a delay of three months, a new drying tower (the sixth), 45 m high, is due to be put into service during the summer. Objective: to increase production from 45,000 to 70,000 tonnes per year. Cost of the investment: 82 million euros. With 150 employees recruited. “Isigny-Sainte-Mère becomes a fine European operator of infant milk powder”, welcomed the Director General. Its competitors? The Swiss Nestlé, the Danish Arla foods or the Dutch FrieslandCampina.
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The Isigny Ste Mère dairy is the specialist in infant milk powder. © Ouest-France
In return, the milk producers of Isigny-Sainte-Mère are called for even more quality. At 1is January 2022, GMO foods will be banned in cows’ rations. And all herds must have at least 10% of Norman breed animals. The dairy, which transformed nearly 10 million organic liters (+ 12%) in 2020, intends to support (€ 3 per linear meter) its members in the maintenance or restoration of hedgerows. “Before the allocation of additional milk volumes, we will look at the carbon footprint of the farm, but also animal welfare and the maintenance of pastures”, confided Arnaud Fossey.
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