The operation not only expands the group’s business perimeter but also reinforces its positioning in a region where the company — formed by a network of family-owned businesses — had already established a direct presence in 2025 through the acquisition of Roux, a company specialised in potatoes.
The arrival of Quillévéré represents a significant strategic move for Vitalis. Beyond adding two new companies to the group, it brings into the executive management a widely recognised figure in the French horticultural sector, particularly in onions and, notably, shallots. His professional background, historically linked to these crops, provides technical expertise, commercial networks and a strong connection with the Breton production base.
Brittany, a strategic hub
The expansion into Brittany follows a clear territorial and production logic. It is one of France’s main regions for early potato production, with activity running almost year-round thanks also to storage potatoes. The area is also key for Atlantic-climate vegetables.
Vitalis began its presence in the region a year ago with the acquisition of an initial company. Building on this foundation, the integration of Pouliquen and Nédéléc consolidates an operational hub that simultaneously strengthens three of the group’s strategic pillars: potatoes, onions/shallots and vegetables.
Diversification into vegetables
Until recently, vegetables had a limited weight within Vitalis. However, the creation last March of a dedicated subsidiary — Cap Fraicheur — to develop this segment marked a turning point. The arrival of Quillévéré accelerates this strategy and provides the project with a solid technical foundation.
The group currently works with a focused portfolio of between eight and ten references, including cauliflower, leek, celery, various cabbage varieties and pumpkin. Marketing is primarily directed at the French retail sector, with emerging developments in international markets, particularly in Eastern Europe.
RELATED NEWS: Keeping potatoes fresh for longer: New Europatat guide for consumers
In volume terms, the vegetable division now reaches 15,000 tonnes. At the same time, potato activity stands at around 290,000 tonnes, while onions, garlic and shallots total 42,000 tonnes, figures that include the contribution of the companies integrated in 2026.
A business model based on consolidation
Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, Vitalis maintains a philosophy centred on progressive consolidation. The group currently operates 12 packing stations across key French production areas — north, south, west and east — and is built on a distinctive business model within the sector: an alliance of several family-owned companies with strong generational roots.
Today, the historical core of the group is composed of around five families, with multiple generations actively involved in the project.
A step forward in sector positioning
Overall, the integration of Pouliquen and Nédéléc, together with Gérard Quillévéré’s entry into the executive management, strengthens Vitalis on several fronts simultaneously: territorial expansion into a strategic region, structural momentum for vegetable development, and consolidation of leadership in potatoes.
Vitalis confirms that its growth is not circumstantial, but the result of a coherent strategy based on territorial integration, product diversification and the incorporation of sector expertise. The aim is to “strengthen our market share and prepare for more competitive scenarios, without giving up our family-based business identity,” company sources told Fruit Today magazine.
