Priority to french supply
With nearly 3 million tonnes of rapeseed and sunflower seeds processed yearly, Saipol is the French leader in oilseed processing.
Oilseeds are purchased on the markets from French agricultural cooperatives and traders and from international players. Since 2020, Saipol has also been collecting part of its French seeds from sustainable cultivation practices directly from farmers via the OleoZE solution..
Saipol therefore gives priority to French supply, and this position is a key part of Saipol’s strategy within the Avril Group. Saipol nevertheless supplements its supplies from time to time with imported seeds in order to meet the demand for products from its industrial customers by adapting to yearly changes in European agricultural production.
As the leading crusher in France and a committed player for the value of oilseed production, Saipol is also extending its expertise to oilseed chains of interest such as erucic rapeseed, Brassica carinata mustard and camelina.
Purchase and control of seeds
he seeds are purchased by Saipol’s trading department and via theOleoZE digital solution dedicated to seeds from sustainable agricultural practices. When the time is right, the execution department takes care of the delivery of the seeds and their proper reception at the factories. Deliveries are made by dump truck, train, barge or boat.
Upon receipt, commercial and quality analyses are carried out according to a plan established by Saipol’s quality teams. The analyses carried out by Saipol systematically include the moisture content, the oil content, the level of impurities (straw, dust, etc.), as well as the oleic acid content of the oleic sunflower, etc. These analyses determine the actual price that will be paid to the supplier, taking into account any bonuses or discounts.
Specific analyses are carried out in accordance with the Saipol quality control plan and in conjunction with external representatives and laboratories. The frequency of analyses varies according to the controls carried out upstream by our partners, the origin of the seeds, and the alerts or risks identified by the regulatory control: fatty acid profile, presence of contaminants and pesticides, presence of GMOs, etc.
