The cooperative group Cooperl (Lamballe, Côtes d’Armor) ended the year with a turnover up 4.6% to 2.921 billion euros (nearly 35% from exports) while its product volume fell by 3.7% to 5.2 million pigs and its slaughtered volume by 4.3% to 4.4 million head. The increase in turnover results mainly from the price increases that Cooperl managed to pass on to its customers, mainly in cured meats.
Soaring production costs at Cooperl
For the general director of Cooperl Emmanuel Commault and its president Bernard Rouxel who spoke at a press conference on Tuesday, there was no other solution to deal with “ the wave of inflation » suffered by the group. Between 2021 and 2023, the group has incurred several hundred million euros in increases in its costs (livestock prices, increase in the minimum wage, energy, packaging, etc.) which could have jeopardized its balance if it had not has been committed to reducing its costs in its approximately 30 industrial sites for around ten years.
Decline in numbers
This hunt for costs continued in 2023 with the non-replacement of retirements which led the group to go from 7,700 to 7,400 people, and with a significant drop in its investments to 48.5 million euros last year compared to 74.3 million in 2022. The Cooperl group’s net profit more than doubled to 16.4 million euros in 2023.
The Cooperl group’s net profit more than doubled to 16.4 million euros in 2023.
6.7 million euros were offered to breeders in the form of social savings shares “to strengthen the social capital of the company »specifies Emmanuel Commault.
A speech from certain breeders expected on June 21
Cooperl has not spared performance for its 2,800 breeders. In a long demonstration, Mr. Commault explained that “for five years, the price paid by Cooperl to its breeders has not been lower than the average price in France (FranceAgriMer reference), as some believe ».
“for five years, the price paid by Cooperl to its breeders has not been lower than the average price in France (FranceAgriMer reference), as some believe »
He was referring to this rebellion born in the ranks of breeders who have been demanding for several months a change in the group’s policy which involves the overthrow of the current board of directors. This group is scheduled to speak at Cooperl’s general meeting on June 21.
Read also: La Cooperl gives a boost to the financing of the Breton Pork Market
A “welfare pig” type logo
The general director also underlined the cost differences to the advantage of Cooperl breeders on different indicators (overall consumption index, gross margin per sow, etc.) to better defend his model. The group intends to continue its journey by applying its Solutions 2030 program towards decarbonization. And make it known from the end of the year through a “welfare pig” type logo (non-castrated males) offered to its customers, for both meat and cured meats. “ We will also continue to defend the VPF.”
