Published on 07 July 2026
The cooperative of farmers is once again demonstrating the strength of its model and supporting food sovereignty by developing its own red bean supply chain in Brittany and the Centre-Val de Loire region. Previously selected and purchased from partners, these red beans are now produced locally, meeting both consumer expectations and the desire to value the work of cooperative farmers. A leader in the dried vegetables category*, d'aucy has been enriching its range, both natural and prepared, for many years and is putting its expertise at the service of the French to facilitate the integration of legumes into their daily lives, from field to plate.
In March, nearly 300,000 boxes of d’aucy French red kidney beans, sourced from farmers in the Eureden cooperative, arrived in supermarkets. This commercial launch marks the culmination of two years of trials, initiated in 2024 on a few hectares, then expanded to several dozen hectares in 2025 – a rapid process considering the long timescales of agriculture.
Thanks to its cooperative model, the brand relies on a direct and constant relationship with its farmers to adapt production to the needs of French consumers, thereby securing outlets that meet market expectations. Together, and after numerous trials conducted over two years, the brand and the farmers met a major technical challenge: to offer a red bean that is flavorful, tender, not mealy, and holds up well to cooking—a key selling point in the world of canned vegetables.
To achieve this, the choice fell on a bean harvested in season. The arrival of the red bean is also perfectly timed: it provides a welcome alternative to the declining consumption of green beans and flageolet beans, whose growing seasons coincide. This structural rebalancing is driven by the growth of legumes, for which demand is increasing.
The red bean perfectly illustrates the integrated supply chain model, ensuring immediate proximity between fields, production and packaging to offer local products with a low carbon footprint.
Alexandre J.
farmer member of the Eureden cooperative
“I wanted to start growing red beans to diversify my activities and try out a crop I wasn't familiar with. In a context of climate change, this diversity is essential to strengthening the resilience of our farms. The support from the Eureden cooperative was crucial: from sowing to marketing the harvest, everything is structured and secure, which allows us to confidently invest in new crops. Today, thanks to the work done with the cooperative, we produce red beans locally for the French market, with guarantees of origin, traceability, and quality. It's a real source of pride to contribute, along with other farmers, to the creation of this new French sector.”
From field to box, the entire sector mobilized to relocate production and thus contribute to supporting French food sovereignty. At the end of May 2026, several hundred hectares were sown, mobilizing around ten producers, including Alexandre, spread across Brittany and the Centre-Val de Loire region.
Until now, supplies came from southwest France, the Vendée region, and North America (the world’s leading production area). The insufficient development of the French sector necessitated multiple sourcing options to meet all of the brand’s needs. By 2026, production is expected to exceed several hundred tons, covering a portion of the cooperative brand’s annual requirements. The remaining volumes will come from French crops grown in other production areas. No supplies will be sourced from outside France. Ultimately, d’aucy aims to cover 100% of its red bean needs through its two production areas. Beyond red beans, d’aucy plans to extend this approach to other legumes and to products with quality labels.
In a bid for transparency, d’aucy red beans now feature the Origin’Info logo, already available on the brand’s website since late 2024 and progressively rolled out across all d’aucy canned products since then. This is an essential feature for promoting transparency on store shelves and thus highlighting the work of the farmers in the Eureden cooperative, who strive to offer local products.
Driven by growing demand (+38% in volume since 2015, total dried vegetables excluding flageolet beans, Circana – total retailers – 2025), the pulse category now appeals to 77% of French households (Kantar Worldpanel – total retailers – 2025). However, their consumption remains below nutritional recommendations (2 kg/year/France currently, while the PNNS [French National Nutrition and Health Program] recommends twice a week, or 10 kg/year/France). With this potential for growth, and supported by initiatives and innovations like those offered by d’aucy, the market should therefore continue its positive momentum.
Katell Baudry,
Marketing and Sales Director - Eureden vegetables and prepared foods (including the d'aucy brand).
“d’aucy is a leading brand in the canned vegetable aisle, particularly in pulses. By listening to consumer expectations, we were pioneers in this segment. As a leader, we have a responsibility to revitalize the offering to enable French people to incorporate more plant-based proteins into their diets. Thanks to our cooperative model, we operate with agility, working directly with farmers. The development of our red bean supply chain is fully aligned with this dynamic, offering a local, high-quality product that meets societal expectations.”
To support evolving eating habits and overcome the remaining barriers associated with legumes, d’aucy offers a comprehensive, accessible, and inspiring range designed to easily integrate into the daily lives of French consumers. Today, d’aucy’s legume range includes 26 products, 12 more than 5 years ago. Whether plain or cooked, white beans, chickpeas, lentils, edamame, or black beans: this diversity allows everyone to find solutions tailored to their preferences.
At the heart of this dynamic, red kidney beans stand out as a valuable nutritional and environmental ally. Rich in plant-based protein and fiber, and naturally low in fat, they contribute to a balanced diet. Like all legumes, they also offer significant agronomic advantages: they naturally fix nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for fertilizers, have moderate water requirements, promote crop diversification, and contribute to farm resilience in the face of climate change. Thanks to these agronomic benefits, they represent a sustainable alternative that meets the expectations of consumers seeking more responsible food choices.
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