This year the Breton vegetable cooperative Solarenn will celebrate its 70th anniversary. It was founded in 1948, when twelve growers decided to cooperate on the national and on the international market. Today 32 growers have joined the cooperative, which is the fifth largest player on the French tomato market.
Christophe Rousse, president of the cooperative: “We always listened to our consumers and their concerns regarding nutrition, health, taste and the environment. We came up with natural solutions instead of using pesticides.” With 'les Responsables', a new range of pesticide-free tomatoes that was launched earlier this year, Solarenn places itself somewhere between organic and conventional cultivation.
Solarenn has a turnover of €45 million. By 2020, the cooperative wants this to be €50 million. Isabelle Georges, managing director: “To reach this goal, we encourage our producers to get organised in a better way and to optimise their activities. Besides, we will reinforce our marketing and communication strategies.”
The total production area of Solarenn is 66 hectares. This year, another 7 hectares of greenhouses will be built.
Solarenn’s growers
Support growers
Solarenn tries to support its growers in different ways. The cooperative offers financial assistance to growers who want to expand their production areas or modernise their greenhouses. Solarenn also helps young growers to set up their companies. Apart from tomatoes, the cooperative offers strawberries and mini peppers.
For more information:
Solarenn
+33 2 23 27 01 01