Faba bean value chain for feed with Valorex (France)

France produces faba bean crops since the early 2000’s, mostly in the west and north of the territory. One of the main advantages of faba beans compared to peas or lentils is its resistance to aphanomyces. Faba bean is also a good head of rotation and its culture fits advantageously in the rotations, especially in front of the wheat which it improves the performances.

The present case study focuses on faba bean activities of the French company Valorex. Since its creation in 1993, it is specialized in the implementation of plant value chains and in the specific treatment of oilseeds and protein crop seeds for animal and human nutrition. The firm treats 75 000 t of grains per year (faba beans, lupine, linseed and soya) in order to produce 185 000 t of feed or extruded cores. The activity has been developed at international scale with production facilities in Switzerland, Portugal and Germany. In 2000 Valorex created the Bleu Blanc Coeur association for the development of an agriculture oriented on health and sustainability.

The project gives the opportunity to conduct a sector diagnosis through interviews of some stakeholders involved in this faba bean value chain. They will share their know-how as well as their management of their faba beans based activities and help identify barriers and levers for the development of the value chain.