Leading European asset manager Amundi announced the launch of Amundi Ambition Agri-Agro Direct Lending Europe (AAAA), a new private debt impact investing strategy aimed at financing European companies in the agricultural and agri-food sectors committed to transitioning to a more sustainable, low-carbon model that preserves natural resources, as well as ensuring food sovereignty.

The new investment strategy is kicking off with a €130 million commitment from Amundi’s parent company, Crédit Agricole Group. The launch forms part of Crédit Agricole Group’s Societal Project, which is focused on the key priorities of climate, social cohesion and agricultural and agri-food transitions. The strategy has a total fundraising target of €750 million.

Jean-Pierre Touzet, Head of the Agri-Agro – Guarantee – Capital Development division of Crédit Agricole, said:

“This new fund offers companies in the agricultural and agri-food sector an alternative and complementary financing solution to traditional debt. It completes the Crédit Agricole Group’s “Ambition Agri-Agro” range, which includes a private equity fund managed by IDIA Capital Investissement and an innovation capital fund managed by our partner Supernova Invest, both of which are already operational. Our ambition is to mobilise a total of €1 billion to finance transitions in the agricultural and agri-food sector.”

The new fund will implement a direct lending impact strategy managed by Amundi Real and Alternative Assets’ Private Debt team, aimed at supporting the development of SMEs, mid-sized businesses and cooperatives in the agricultural and agri-food sector in Europe, through various senior, unitranche and subordinated debt instruments.

Thierry Vallière, Head of Private Debt at Amundi, said:

“We want to offer investors an innovative investment solution that will help companies in the agri-food and agro-industrial sectors to make strategic changes towards a competitive and sustainable system. We are confident in our ability to deploy funding quickly and secure investments in the sector, thanks to the depth of our sourcing and the quality of our selection process.”