Le Gouessant
Le Gouessant is a French agricultural cooperative founded in 1964, serving 4,300+ farmer-members across Brittany and Grand Ouest with animal nutrition feeds, aquaculture feeds, agricultural advisory services, pork marketing, and branded consumer food products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersLamballe, France
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Le Gouessant does
Le Gouessant is a French agricultural cooperative (Société Coopérative Agricole) founded in 1964 and headquartered in Lamballe-Armor, Brittany, serving 4,300+ farmer-members and employing 888 people across the Brittany and Grand Ouest regions. Its core activity is manufacturing and commercializing animal nutrition feed, with 838,240 tonnes of feed volumes reported in 2018 spanning pig, poultry, ruminant, and aquaculture species, supplemented by 21 retail stores selling agro-supplies and related products. The cooperative operates an integrated platform that combines feed formulation, precision-feeding technology (connected pilot farms with automatic weighing and individual animal identification), 40 Sencrop-connected weather stations, and proprietary concepts such as Physior (alternative pig farming) and AquaBoost (essential-oil-based aquaculture health product reducing antibiotic need).
The group's revenue model blends transaction-based feed sales, professional agricultural advisory services, and consumer food products marketed under the Terres de Breizh brand with Bleu Blanc Cœur and Label Rouge certifications. Pork marketing is centralized through the wholly-owned SYPROporcs subsidiary, which commercializes 563,800 pigs annually across 25 market outlets and 15 departments. Aquaculture operations (Le Gouessant Aquaculture SAS) produce specialized feeds for salmonids, marine fish, freshwater fish, and shrimp, with international sales representing 40% of aquaculture hobby-feed revenue and exports to Belgium, Germany, and the UK. Companion animal nutrition is served through Easypill, NAC/Raizup Nutrition Care, My-pet, and the new SoftChew pet treats line, with Vetinnov contributing 70%+ export revenue.
Growth is supported by a sustained M&A strategy (Vetinnov 2020, Aqualia 2021, Agriplus merger, Celtileg majority stake), a €16.6M SoftChew pet treats factory scheduled for August 2027 commissioning in Sèvremoine, and a 2024-launched Beanova plant-based ingredients brand targeting industrial food manufacturers. The cooperative divested its fuel distribution activity to Bolloré Energy in June 2026 to refocus on agricultural core operations, and appointed a new Group Marketing and Communication Manager in April 2026. Disclosed 2018 financials show €538M revenue, €11.3M net profit, €107M shareholder equity, and €1M net financial debt, with the 2024 management commentary indicating regained growth on the core market.
Le Gouessant firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Le Gouessant
- Legal name
- Société Coopérative Agricole Le Gouessant
- Website
- https://legouessant.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Le Gouessant is a French agricultural cooperative founded in 1964, serving 4,300+ farmer-members across Brittany and Grand Ouest with animal nutrition feeds, aquaculture feeds, agricultural advisory services, pork marketing, and branded consumer food products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Le Gouessant industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animal Feed & Nutrition
- NAICS
- Other Animal Food Manufacturing (311119), Animal Food Manufacturing (31111), Support Activities for Animal Production (1152), Animal Slaughtering and Processing (3116)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animal Nutrition & Feeding Support Services (On-Farm Feeding, Feed Management) (AFAEALAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performance & Health Outcome Consulting (growth, FCR, milk yield, gut health) (AFADAMAG), Nutrition & Production Medicine Advisory (Transition Cow, Performance Optimization) (AFACADAI), Animal Welfare, Handling & Stress-Reduction Programs (Protocols, Training) (AFACALAH)
Keywords
Where Le Gouessant is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lamballe
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Le Gouessant business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Animal Feed Sales: Core business of manufacturing and commercializing animal feed for pork, poultry, ruminants, and aquaculture. In 2018, volumes reached 838,240 tonnes representing +0.9% growth versus market
- Agricultural Services: Comprehensive farmer support services including technical advice, farm setup, building/renovation, performance tracking, and diversification assistance for members
- Pork Marketing (SYPROporcs): Pork marketing and sales through SYPROporcs group, commercializing 563,800 pigs annually including 43,600 bio and farm pigs across 25 market outlets
- Consumer Food Products: Direct food products including Terres de Breizh brand eggs, pork, and dairy products; processed vegetables; sold through retail channels
- Aquaculture Feed: Specialized feed for salmonids, marine fish, freshwater fish, shrimp, and hobby/recreational fishing. International sales represent 40% of aquaculture revenue
- Pet Food (DAR'win Brand): Pet nutrition products including companion animal supplements under Easypill brand acquired via Vetinnov, and DAR'win recreational fish food
- Energy Distribution: Fuel (FOD, FH, GNR, GO) and gas delivery services to farmers and rural customers, now being transitioned to Bolloré Energy
- Pet Supplements (Vetinnov): Nutritional solutions for companion animals including the Easypill concept for easy medication administration to dogs and cats, with 70%+ export revenue
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Cooperative membership pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Le Gouessant product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Le Gouessant is a French agricultural cooperative that manufactures and commercializes animal nutrition feed for pork, poultry, ruminants, aquaculture, and companion animals (838,240 tonnes annually). It also markets consumer food products (eggs, pork, dairy) under brands like Terres de Breizh, produces pet supplements via acquired brands (Easypill, DAR'win), and provides comprehensive farm advisory, technical support, and market-access services to its 4,300+ farmer-members across Brittany and Grand Ouest.
Product overview
Le Gouessant is a French agricultural cooperative group operating primarily in animal nutrition and farming. The portfolio consists of feed products across aquaculture, livestock, and companion animals; farm management technology platforms; and branded food products. The aquaculture division (Le Gouessant Aquaculture) produces species-specific feeds for salmonids, marine fish, freshwater fish, shrimp, and leisure/recreational fishing under the DAR'WIN brand. The companion animal segment includes Easypill (acquired 2020), NAC/Raizup Nutrition Care, and My-pet brands. Farm management is supported through Aunéor technical-economic monitoring software, Fermes 4 Soleils farmer network, and Physior alternative pig farming concept. The food division markets eggs and pork products under Terres de Breizh, while organic operations run through UFAB with Beanova ingredients for industrial clients. Pet treats (SoftChew) are produced through the Synergie Prod manufacturing arm, which is expanding with a new €16.6M factory.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Easypill: Palatable food supplement brand for administering medications to dogs and cats
- Terres de Breizh
- Bleu Blanc Cœur
- SYPROporcs
- SoftChew
- DAR'win
- Raizup Nutrition Care
- Physior
- Fermes 4 Soleils
- Picorette
- My-pet
- Aunéor
Products and services
- Animal Feed (Pork, Poultry, Ruminants) Manufactured compound feeds for pig, poultry (broiler, layer, breeder), and ruminant (dairy and beef cattle) production; sold to farmer-members across France.
- Le Gouessant Aquaculture Feed Species-specific feeds for salmonids, marine fish, freshwater fish, shrimp, and recreational/hobby fishing; 40% of aquaculture revenue from international sales (Belgium, Germany, England).
- DAR'win Hobby Aquaculture Feed Brand of pellets for carp and koi, fishing bait, and aquaponics feeds marketed through retail chains including Pacific Pêche and Décathlon.
- Easypill Pet Supplements Appetizing dietary supplement products for dogs and cats designed to facilitate medication administration; export revenue share above 70%.
- AquaBoost Aquaculture Health Product
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduce feed costs by approximately 10% through precision feeding
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Le Gouessant
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Le Gouessant technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability6 records
Feature4 records
Le Gouessant partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SencropcoreWeather data partnership deploying 40 connected agro-meteorological stations across Ille-et-Vilaine, Côtes d'Armor, Morbihan, and Manche departments. Provides real-time temperature, wind speed, and rainfall data to farmers for optimized crop management and treatment timing.
- Oniris (École Nationale Vétérinaire de Nantes)minorCollaboration with veterinary school for aquaculture health research, including in vitro testing of AquaBoost alternative to antibiotics and thesis work on trout pathologies.
- Pacific Pêche and DécathlonminorDistribution partnerships for recreational fishing feeds through major retail chains in France.
- Bolloré EnergyminorFuel distribution activity transferred to Bolloré Energy in June 2026 to ensure continuity and development of the fuel distribution business.
- VetinnovcoreAcquired company specializing in nutritional solutions for companion animals, including Easypill concept. Based in Castelnaudary with 8 employees and 70%+ export revenue. Complements Newborn Animal Care and Synergie Prod offerings.
- Nutri OuestcoreMerged ruminant activity with Nutri Ouest, contributing to 10% growth in ruminant sector in 2018.
- Valorial (Pôle de compétitivité)minorRegional competitiveness cluster supporting Physior pig farming innovation project and other research initiatives.
- Bleu Blanc CœurminorQuality label partnership for agricultural products with health benefits, 3rd most recognized quality sign in France with 46% awareness.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Le Gouessant competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Agrial: French agricultural cooperative active in animal feed, livestock (poultry, dairy, beef), crop production, and branded consumer foods. Closely comparable cooperative structure, multi-species feed offering, and diversified downstream food brands.
- Cooperl Arc Atlantique: Major French agricultural cooperative focused on pork production, slaughtering, processing, and feed manufacturing. Most direct peer to Le Gouessant given overlap in pig farming feed supply, SYPROporcs-style pig marketing, and Brittany footprint.
- Terrena: French agricultural cooperative operating in animal nutrition, livestock production (poultry, pork, dairy), and consumer food. Highly comparable business model and cooperative governance to Le Gouessant, with overlapping feed-to-food vertical integration.
- Eureden (formerly Triskalia): French agricultural cooperative in Brittany formed from the merger of Triskalia and Cecab, operating in animal nutrition, vegetables, eggs, and retail. Strong geographic and operational overlap with Le Gouessant in Brittany/Grand Ouest.
Broad incumbents
- Cargill Animal Nutrition: Global animal nutrition and feed manufacturer serving livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and pet food markets. Comparable to Le Gouessant in core feed formulation and species breadth, but operating at vastly larger scale across multiple continents.
- BioMar Group: Global aquaculture feed manufacturer owned by Schouw & Co., producing feeds for salmon, trout, shrimp, and other species. Directly competes with Le Gouessant Aquaculture in specialty fish feed and shares the antibiotic-reduction/sustainability positioning.
- ADM Animal Nutrition: Global agribusiness giant with a major animal nutrition segment producing livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and pet feeds. Comparable in product breadth and international reach to Le Gouessant's feed portfolio.
- Skretting (Nutreco): Global leader in aquaculture feed (salmonids, marine fish, shrimp) and part of Nutreco, the animal nutrition division of SHV Holdings. Directly comparable to Le Gouessant Aquaculture but at significantly larger international scale.
- Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF): Thailand-based integrated animal feed and protein producer operating globally across aquaculture, poultry, and swine feed and farming. Comparable in vertical integration from feed to farmed protein, though at much larger scale and Asian footprint.
- InVivo Group: One of France's largest agricultural cooperatives with activities spanning animal nutrition, crop production, retail (Gamm vert), and international grain trading. A direct structural peer to Le Gouessant as a French cooperative, with broader scale and diversification.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Le Gouessant social profiles
Digital presenceLe Gouessant financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Le Gouessant leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Le Gouessant subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries13 records
Le Gouessant funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Le Gouessant M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Le Gouessant
What does Le Gouessant do?
Le Gouessant is a French agricultural cooperative that manufactures and commercializes animal nutrition feed for pork, poultry, ruminants, aquaculture, and companion animals (838,240 tonnes annually). It also markets consumer food products (eggs, pork, dairy) under brands like Terres de Breizh, produces pet supplements via acquired brands (Easypill, DAR'win), and provides comprehensive farm advisory, technical support, and market-access services to its 4,300+ farmer-members across Brittany and Grand Ouest.
Is Le Gouessant a public or private company?
Le Gouessant is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Le Gouessant founded?
Le Gouessant was founded in 1964. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Le Gouessant based?
Le Gouessant is headquartered in Lamballe, France, in the Europe region.
How does Le Gouessant make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Animal Feed Sales are the primary driver. The others are agricultural Services, pork Marketing (SYPROporcs), consumer Food Products, aquaculture Feed, pet Food (DAR'win Brand), energy Distribution and pet Supplements (Vetinnov).
Who are Le Gouessant's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Agrial, Cooperl Arc Atlantique, Terrena and Eureden (formerly Triskalia). Broad incumbents are Cargill Animal Nutrition, BioMar Group, ADM Animal Nutrition, Skretting (Nutreco), Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) and InVivo Group.
Does Le Gouessant have an API?
No public API is recorded for Le Gouessant.
What industry is Le Gouessant in?
Le Gouessant's product category is Animal Feed & Nutrition. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEALAJ, Animal Nutrition & Feeding Support Services (On-Farm Feeding, Feed Management), with a secondary code of AFADAMAG, Performance & Health Outcome Consulting (growth, FCR, milk yield, gut health). Its NAICS code is 311119 and its SIC code is 700.