Unigrains supports Unicoque, the French leader in hazelnuts, in a new phase of its development

Through the issuance of participating securities subscribed to by Unigrains, Unicoque aims to accelerate the development of its processing activities

Cancon & Paris, September 30^th, 2026 – Unigrains, the leading investor-partner for agri-food companies, has subscribed to participating securities issued by Unicoque, France’s leading hazelnut cooperative. This transaction aims to accelerate the implementation of the cooperative’s strategic plan, focused on developing higher value-added products and enhancing the value of French hazelnuts.

Created in 1990, Unicoque brings together nearly 285 growers and accounts for more than 80% of France’s hazelnut production. Each year, the cooperative collects, stabilizes, dries, sorts, packages and processes nearly 10,000 tons of nuts through an integrated model spanning nurseries and agronomic support to processing and commercialization. Its two production sites enable it to offer a broad range of in-shell, shelled and processed hazelnut products (powder, pieces, roasted and blanched hazelnuts, oils, and beverages) to a diversified customer base of food manufacturers, retailers and traders in France and abroad. Unicoque employs 165 people and expects to generate roughly €40 million of sales in 2026, nearly half of which from exports.

While Unicoque, via its brand Koki, stands out for its ‘French Origin’ positioning, traceability and the quality of its products, the cooperative also plays a central role in developing the French hazelnut industry through a longstanding commitment to agronomic research and innovation. In a context marked by changing production conditions and evolving consumer expectations, Unicoque is continuing to transition its model from one historically focused on volumes towards an approach increasingly centered on enhancing the value of hazelnuts and expanding its processing activities.

This new phase will notably focus on the following priorities:

• expanding shelling and processing activities to diversify market opportunities;
• optimizing industrial facilities, notably by enhancing cracking and sorting capacity;
• securing and strengthening agricultural production by continuing R&D programs and introducing new farming practices;
• developing new applications for hazelnut co-products, including biomass, packaging, cosmetics and nutrition.

Beyond its financial support, Unigrains will provide Unicoque with its sector expertise, its experience working with cooperatives and across agri-food value chains, as well as its networks in France and internationally, to contribute fully to the success of this ambitious project.

Jean-Luc Reigne, CEO of Unicoque, said: “Unigrains’ support is a sign of confidence in our cooperative. It will enable us to accelerate projects already underway, to develop new market opportunities, to strengthen our processing activities and to continue to enhance the value of French hazelnuts. We share the same ambition as Unigrains: to build an increasingly competitive and innovative French hazelnut industry that creates value for growers.”

Florence Alin, Investment Director with Unigrains, said: “While France is one of the world’s leading consumers of hazelnuts it remains heavily dependent on imports, making the development of a competitive and resilient French hazelnut industry a strategic priority. With its strong local roots, agronomic expertise and vision across the value chain, Unicoque is uniquely positioned to address this challenge. The cooperative’s project is fully aligned with Unigrains’ mission, and we are delighted to contribute to the competitiveness and added value of the French hazelnut industry.”