Twenty SME Agri clients from CA Ukraine on expedition to Val de France

14 July 2025

Around twenty SME Agri clients from Crédit Agricole Ukraine went on a "learning expedition" to the Val de France Regional Bank on June 5th and 6th, to discover the Regional Bank and its agricultural market, the region, and more particularly biomethane production.

Sharing and exchanges with Val de France Regional Bank

After a tour of the city of Blois, organized by "greeters," an association of passionate volunteers, the clients were welcomed by Jérôme Hombourger, CEO of Val de France Regional Bank, Stéphane Gabalda, Deputy CEO, Michel Le Masson, Director of International Banking Development, and Olivier Guilhamon, Deputy Director of DBI , for a presentation of Crédit Agricole, the Regional Bank, and the French agricultural market, but also for an important question-and-answer session and exchanges about farming in both countries.

Meeting between Ukrainian clients and representatives of the Regional Bank Val de France

Discovering biomethane production

Second step: Visit to the BiogazMer company, which produces biomethane from agricultural waste.

Biomethane production contributes to the diversification of the sector while participating in the circular economy of the territory. The biomethane production unit, BiogazMer, produces 22 GWh of green gas annually, covering the annual consumption of the town of Mer (5,500 inhabitants). This green gas, a 100% renewable energy, comes from the recovery of silo waste, cereals, and sugar beet pulp, as well as winter cover crops planted between two main crops.

This visit was one of the highlights of the trip to explain the operation of this production site. The numerous questions from CA Ukraine clients on this subject showed their interest and the perspectives they could draw from it in their national context.

Visit to the BiogazMer company

Cultural interlude

How could one come to Val de France and not enjoy the many castles in the region! For this expedition, participants had the chance to discover Chambord and its architectural splendors.

Expedition to the Chambord Castle

Final step: visit to Alain Fermé's farm

This meeting between professionals shows both the common concerns and differences between the two countries. Once again, as throughout this journey, the questions were numerous and precise, covering all subjects, whether about machinery, crops, processes...

Visit to Alain Fermé's farm