Nut Expert: becoming the leader in peanut butter “made in France” from Troyes

Published the 21/10/22 | Territorial life

Peanut Butter: A Rapidly Growing Market in France

Peanut butter has long been associated in the French mind with Americans. Times are changing. Over the past decade, consumption in France has been steadily increasing, reaching 14,000 tonnes per year today, a threefold increase in ten years. This growth is due to changes in our dietary habits (search for plant-based proteins – organic), a shift in nutritionists’ perception who now see benefits in peanut consumption (Health-Sport), and the consumption habits of a portion of the population of foreign origin who traditionally use peanut butter, particularly for culinary purposes. On the “manufacturing and distribution” side in the French market, the leaders are foreign (USA and Netherlands).

Developing Exceptional French Production

This was enough to spark new entrepreneurial desires in the Doquet-Chassaing group, a family from the agricultural world that later diversified into the fruit and vegetable trade at the MIN of Rungis. In 2019, the group decided to diversify into this market segment and create a factory specializing in the production of nut pastes, with peanut butter as the flagship product. The group aims to differentiate itself through excellence, environmental respect, and the quality of French manufacturing. Recipes are created using peanuts from renowned farmer cooperatives, with superior quality seeds, and for some outlets, certified organic and palm oil-free.

An Investment of Over 10 Million Euros

It was necessary to create a high-performance industrial tool that met food industry standards. “We questioned where the best possible industrial location would be. We wanted a willing workforce, an agri-food environment allowing for synergies, while being less than 1.5 hours from the main French market, namely: Ile-de-France,” recalls Marin Doquet-Chassaing, the company’s CEO. Following a feasibility study conducted with the Business Sud Champagne economic development agency, the site at Marigny le Chatel, near Troyes, was chosen in 2020.

“It met both our technical-economic requirements and our attachment to this territory,” adds Marin Doquet-Chassaing.

NUT EXPERT was then established. 10 million euros were invested to rehabilitate the 3,000 m² building and equip it with the latest generation industrial tool, purchased from constructors specializing in the transformation of nuts.

“During the installation, we were not alone. We were able to benefit from the support of the Business Sud Champagne development agency and the mobilization of all its partners: Europe, Grand Est Region, state services, community of communes, engineers, and local companies,” the CEO specifies.

An Initial Milestone of 200 Tonnes per Month

In 2022, the company continues to gain strength and is expected to reach a capacity of 200 tonnes per month of peanut butter by the end of the year. The distribution of its products is managed by large retail chains and a network of wholesalers under private label or under its own brand “KAHUET”.

Towards a 100% French Product: From French Fields to the Consumer

As part of the expansion of its product range and aware of the environmental limitations of high-quality peanuts produced in South America, the Doquet-Chassaing group has recently planted 100 hectares of hazelnut trees to have a local resource ready to be transformed into a 100% French palm oil-free hazelnut paste within 5 years.

NUT EXPERT at the International Food Exhibition “SIAL 2022”

For the first time, NUT EXPERT will exhibit at the SIAL trade fair at the Villepinte exhibition center from October 15 to 19, 2022 – Hall 5B, stand R 186.