Innatis to Divest Loire Valley Operations Amidst Apple Harvest Challenges

Innatis, a French fruit producer, is streamlining its operations by selling off its divisions and orchards in the Val de Loire region. The decision comes after several years of disappointing HoneyCrunch apple harvests due to unfavorable weather conditions. The company, headquartered in Paris, will retain its operations in the south of France.

Strategic Shift and Asset Sale

According to Marc Rauffet, President of Innatis, the assets being divested represent approximately €40 million in turnover and employ nearly 80 people. This represents roughly 30% of the company’s total turnover of €140 million.

The sale includes the company’s Loire-based companies, orchards, and a recently constructed fruit-growing station in Verrières-en-Anjou (Maine-et-Loire), near Angers. This state-of-the-art facility, completed in the fall of 2023, required a €30 million investment.

HoneyCrunch Harvest Issues

The primary driver behind this strategic shift is the consistently poor performance of HoneyCrunch apples, which account for 60% of the group’s orchard areas in the Loire Valley. Marketable yields have fallen to around 40%, significantly below the 70% needed for profitability.

These low yields have coincided with the opening of the new industrial facility, which was designed based on harvest levels from 2018-2021.

Company Leadership and Background

Marc Rauffet, born in 1960 in Toulouse, is a French national and currently holds six leadership positions across various companies. He is the current CEO (PDG) of Innatis according to his LinkedIn profile.

Beyond Innatis, Rauffet also holds leadership roles at COMIMPEX, POMEXPORT, POMANJOU INTERNATIONAL, LVMR, and POMINTER as detailed on e-pro.fr.

Innatis Company Details

Innatis is involved in the wholesale trade of fruits, and vegetables. The company has a presence in multiple locations, including Ecouflant, L’Honor-de-Cos, and Verrières-en-Anjou as shown on Societe.com.

Additional information about Marc Rauffet can be found on Verif.com.