A growing business: Wholesale in France

Public interest in organic products has been constantly rising. Therefore, a special edition of the magazine Du Sol à la Table was published, dedicated to organic wholesalers. The former editors of the magazine (which doesn’t exist anymore at the moment) have achieved to give a detailed overview of the commercialisation of organic products on the French market.

Picture: French organic cheese

Aqui Bio (picture) was launched as an initiative of six organic farmers in 1994. The company is specialized in frozen products and aims at offering a full range to their customers - fruit, vegetables and ice-cream make up 70 % of their products, but various other frozen goods like fish, French fries and mushrooms are also available. Their line currently consists of 200 different products, which are sold to organic and health food stores, producers and catering in France and in Spain. Aqui Bio was a pioneer for fine green beans in the country. Business has been successful, with an increase of turnover by 11 % in 2005 (compared with the previous year). aquibio@wanadoo.fr

Biocash mainly sells dry and preserved goods (40 %), fruit and vegetables (29 %) and dairy products (20 %) to their customers. Detergents, cosmetics and drinks are also offered. Since cleaning supplies and cosmetics have experienced an enormous growth, the company has added new brands to their product range. 6,500 different products are now offered altogether. The company’s customers are organic and health food stores in the South of France. In the business year 2005/2006, the company’s turnover increased by 14 % compared with the previous year. Jeanphi.biocash@wanadoo.fr.

Biodis has been active in the organic sector since 2000, delivering to various départements in France. The product range mainly consists of dry goods (40 %), fruits and vegetables (20 %) and refrigerated products (27 %), but supplements, cosmetics and items for personal hygiene are also available. So far, 4,000 different products are offered. The company has recently enlarged their storage capacity; therefore the product range can be extended even further. Strong emphasis is put on communication – Biodis was a pioneer for spreading a catalogue and has been offering a newspaper, in which 200 different products are promoted every month. In 2005, the company increased their turnover by 9 % compared with the previous year. Biodis.biodis@wanadoo.fr.

Bio-Dynamie France was launched in the year 2000 to give specialized stores easier access to biodynamical products. 110 different products are sold, of which certain ones get particular attention. Spelt, for example, is highly demanded due to the fact that allergies are on the rise. The company has a constant growth of sales - 10 % every year show that the company is doing well. Bio-Dynamie supplies stores in Ile-de-France, Bretagne and Alsace. biodynamie@wanadoo.fr.

Bio-Land has been constantly enlarging their product range. Business was started in 1997 by offering 130 organic wines (picture) and 600 dry goods. The decision to enlarge the offer was made fast. The company’s range consists of 4,000 products now. Fruit in glasses, cooked meals and organic cotton clothing of the brand Biocoton have been recently added to the company’s range. Within the last years, the company was intensifying the relationship with their clients due to the strong interest for dialogue. In 2005, a plus of 13 % was achieved compared with 2004, and in the first quarter of 2006, sales increased by 23 %. Bio-land-sanetny@wanadoo.fr.

Bonneterre, one of the leading wholesalers in France, decided to go organic in the late 80s. Year after year, the company has achieved to enlarge the number of products of its own brand. The last year was no exception; 50 new products of their own brand were introduced. Bonneterre as a brand name has preserved goods, cooled and frozen products in offer, which account for 65 % of its turnover. Altogether, 1,650 different products are available – beside their own brand, fruit and vegetables are also supplied. The company does not only deliver to customers in France, but also to Belgium and Luxembourg. www.bonneterre.fr.

Chantenat offers of 2,150 different products. Fruit and vegetables make up 63 % of the range, dry (preserved) goods 18 %, cooled products 18 % and cosmetics 1 %. When starting their business, emphasis was put on the distribution of fruit. But after associating with Distriborg in 2004, the company has been able to enlarge its range constantly. Chantenat’s customers are specialized stores, restaurants, delicatessen and small stores selling in streets in Western France. The company achieved a plus of 7 % in 2005. josiane.alemany@chantenat.fr.

Dynamis was launched in 1991 and has been exporting fruit and vegetables to Northern Europe. 5,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables are exported to wholesalers and specialized stores in Great-Britain, Scandinavia and Benelux every year. The latest add to the range were dry fruits. The company has also created a box scheme project. 4,000 bags are delivered directly to consumers’ doors every week. The company was able to increase its turnover by 16.6 % from 2004 to 2005. www.dynamis.fr

Euro-nat was created in 1988. The company is working as a Fairtrade producer and distributor. After introducing the grain of quinoa to Europe, Euro-nat concentrates on dry goods (92 %). One of the company’s brands, Priméal, consists of a range of products based on grains and legumes. Also, biscuits under the brand name Bisson are produced. Many other big names of the sector are also distributed by Euro-nat. The company has faced a new challenge with the creation of Organic Benin. All of France, Benelux, Great Britain, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia and Greece are supplied with the products of Euro-Nat. The company has achieved an increase of turnover of 17.5 % in 2005. www.euro-nat.com

Europ Labo was launched in 1975 to import dietary products from Germany. Since then, many changes have taken place. As a producer and distributor, the company works in different sectors: food, cosmetics and products for home decor. Food products account for 60 % of their turnover, paints for 15 %, supplements for 15 % and cosmetics for 10 %. To the already existing large range of 2,000 products, many more are constantly added. The latest names are Aprolis, Biorama, Phytonorm and Junior. Tofu bio Vitaquell was honoured with the prize of innovation at BioFach. A growth in sales of 10 % was achieved in 2005. www.europlabo.com

Fort et Vert was created 10 years ago. The company concentrates on the distribution of fruit and vegetables (95 %), which are mainly grown in France. More than 1,000 products are available so far. Specialized organic stores and large retail chains in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg are served, as well as hypermarkets and supermarkets. Since 2005, much effort was put into improving packaging. New packages for potatoes were designed and information on the product was added. Carrots are put into biodegradable packaging. A plus of 15 % in turnover was achieved in the period of 03/2005 to 02/2006, compared with 2004/2005. www.fort-et-vert@wanadoo.fr.

Kalisterra was launched in 2005. Originating from the companies Terradis and Brugier-Sillon, Kalisterra was formed to offer more attractive prices to their customers. The company belongs to Distriborg. Kalisterra’s own brands are sold and the company works as wholesaler and exclusive distributor for France for various other products. Yogi Tea, Lydeha (Aloe Vera), Klin Up and Salt from Himalaya were just lately added. 2,000 different goods are distributed in France and internationally. www.kalisterra.com

La Cigogne came to live in 1988 in Alsace as a union of associates. Fruit and vegetables make 70 % of the turnover, dry goods 15 %, dairy products and eggs 15 %. In 2005, 70 % of the company’s turnover was achieved by selling goods to specialized stores and farmers markets and 15 % to wholesalers. The company delivers to an area of 300 km around Strasbourg. La Cigogne was able to increase their turnover by 15 % in 2005. scotlacigogne@wanadoo.fr

Markal has been active in the organic sector since the end of the 70s. 10,000 tonnes of grains, pulses, cereals, rice and pasta are produced, packed and stored each year. This number is still constantly on the rise. 650 different products are delivered to France, Europe and the world - to North America, Asia and the Middle Orient. The company's latest novelties are red and white quinoa. A plus of turnover of 10 % was achieved in 2005 compared with the previous year. www.markal.fr

Moulin des Moines started their activity in the 13th century. Since the 1970s, the company has been producing organic flour. All kind of cereals are transformed, with emphasis on spelt, representing 60 % of processed cereals. The company delivers biscuits, pretzels, chocolate, pasta and natural mineral water to stores and wholesalers as well as to producers. The wholesaler offers 800 different products, among which are brands like the supplements Ponroy, the cereal milk Soyana, and Chi drinks, which are exclusively sold. Moulin des Moines has also been specializing in certain segments: chocolates with blueberries and cranberries are offered, for example. Food products make 75 % of turnover, liquids 10 %, supplements 10 % and cosmetics 5 %. All of France and eleven other countries are supplied. www.moulin-des-moines.com

NaturDis is a producer of organic fruit and vegetables and also a distributor for south east France. More than 8,000 different products are offered - fruit and vegetables (33 %), dry goods, among which is the own brand NaturaBio, supplements, hygiene and cosmetics (33 %) and cooled products (33 %) are available. After developing its commercial structure, the company now puts its emphasis on communication - a new logo, an improved catalogue and an internet site are now available. A plus of 8 % was achieved in 2005 compared with the previous year. www.naturdis.fr

Nature concentrates on selling supplements (70 %) and natural cosmetics (30 %). Its store brand allows customers to save up to 25 % compared with other brand products. Nature has 6,500 different products in offer, which are delivered within France. A plus of 17 % was achieved in 2005, compared with 2004. www.boutique-nature.fr

Naturgie was launched in 1985 and concentrates on the development and the commercialisation of delicatessen, organics, and dietary products without salt, sugar, gluten or alcohol are sold. Fruit from Fairtrade origin is processed - the company is well-known for its organic Fairtrade jam and also commercializes various products of Max Havelaar. The company has won a prize at Natexpo 2005. Naturgie sells to all five continents. Products based on fruit make 60 % of the company’s turnover. www.naturgie.com

Probabio offers 4,000 different products – dry goods account for 80 %, cooled products for 5 %, hygiene, cosmetics and detergents for the remaining 15 %. The company, which was launched in 1994, puts strong emphasis on a personal relationship with their clients. Special orders can be placed even if the desired product cannot be found in the catalogue. Deliveries are made within France. probabio@wanadoo.fr

Pronadis offers 5,500 references - fruit and vegetables (12 %), dry goods (55 %), cooled products (20 %), supplements, cosmetics and cleaning: (11 %) and others (2 %). The company delivers to 24 departments in France and achieved an increase in turnover of 10 % in the business year 2005/2006, compared with the previous year. www.pronadis.com

Pronatura is a leading company in France for fresh vegetable and fruit, and also main importer of these products. Launched in 1987, the company has been producing, importing and distributing within France and exporting to other European countries. Pronatura is supplying to retailers, wholesalers and producers. Branches are located in Maroc (Agadir), in Togo, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana as well as in South Africa. This allows the company to offer a very large variety of fruit and vegetables to their customers. A plus of 20 % in turnover was achieved compared with 2004. www.pronatura.com

Provinces bio was launched by five producers to be able to offer fresher products and better prices to their customers. Provinces bio sells products of their associates, but also dairy products and dry goods. Fruit and vegetables (55 %), dry goods (32 %) and dairy products (8 %) are part of the range of 2,750 different products altogether. Compared with 2003/2004, a plus of 10 % was achieved in 2004/2005. www.provincesbio.com

Pur aliment offers dry goods (60 %), cooled products (20 %), and dietary products (8 %), but also detergents and cosmetics are available. Altogether, the company’s range consists of 8,000 products. Deliveries are made within France, and also to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Since the company has doubled its sales of cosmetics, its brand Eubiona was enlarged by 30 new products. In 2005, turnover was increased by 22 % (compared with 2004). www.puralliment.com

Raiponce, former Rapunzel France, sells 650 different products altogether. Rapunzel products, 70 % of the company’s range, are exclusively distributed by Raiponce in the country. Dry fruits and nuts, chocolates and sugar are still their most important items. Bouillons, margarine and other dry goods imported from Germany are also available. The company achieved a plus of 20 % in 2005 compared with 2004. www.raiponce.fr

Relais vert started its business in 1976 by growing vegetables. The company’s activity as a wholesaler was started ten years later. Now, 4,500 different products are supplied within France. Fruit and vegetables (50 %), dry goods (30 %), and cooled products (20 %) like dairy products, ready meals and sea food are available. www.relais-vert.com

Vitafrais offers 1,950 different products - meat (10 %), fish (15 %), dairy products (35 %), bread (5 %) and vegetarian products (30 %). Apricots from Turkey, raisins from Italy, almonds from Spain and other dried fruit were lately added. The company has achieved an increase in turnover of 50 % in 2005 compared with the previous year. Tel. 0033 3 26 87 86 86