Cargill is investing $150 million to upgrade its sunflower seed processing plant in France.
2026/05/28
Global agricultural giant Cargill is investing $150 million to upgrade its sunflower seed processing plant in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The company stated that this investment will enable the facility to shift from producing low‑protein meal to high‑ and ultra‑high‑protein sunflower meal, creating a new regional source of plant protein for the animal feed industry and reducing reliance on imported meals. As sunflower production in France continues to expand, with the surrounding region serving as a key supplier, this investment will facilitate seed exports for local farmers and strengthen collaboration with cooperatives.
“This strategic investment strengthens our ability to connect French farmers with the growing demand for high-value protein powders,” said Alexis Kazan, President of Cargill’s Agriculture and Trade Group for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
“By upgrading the processing capacity at Saint-Nazaire, we are creating more opportunities for local farmers while helping to ensure that France remains competitive in the rapidly evolving global feed market.”
Cargill stated that by utilizing processed sunflower husks to generate electricity on-site via a new biomass boiler, it expects to reduce natural gas consumption by more than 100 GWh annually and decrease… Every year Carbon monoxide emissions amount to approximately 20,000 tonnes. In addition, excess sunflower husks will be converted into agricultural biomass pellets and supplied to external customers, including district heating networks.
Construction is scheduled to begin in November, with commercial production slated for March 2029.
