COFIDES invests €25 million in ISFA to accelerate the sustainable agro-industrial transition in Iberia

 

COFIDES committed up to 25 million euros from the fund FOCO to take a stake in ISFAThe objective is to finance sustainable agro-industrial expansion in España y Portugal through efficient technology.

 

The financial institution has formalized this investment commitment of up to 25 million euros to acquire a minority stake in Iberian Smart Financial Agro (ISFA), a leading Spanish company in the development and management of intensive and sustainable agricultural projects in the Iberian PeninsulaThe operation is implemented through the Fondo de Coinversión (FOCO), using a structure that combines capital contribution and preferred debt.

 

This strategic move seeks to attract foreign investment to the national economy. In this sense, FOCO acts as a co-investor alongside Three Hills, a European investment manager headquartered in Londres specializing in capital solutions for mid-sized companies. The funds will support the ambitious growth plan of ISFA, which includes the expansion of its industrial capacity and the implementation of plantations under the model Sustainable Efficient System (HIS).

 

Impact on the modernization and sustainability of the countryside

 

The investment is aimed at enhancing the value of agricultural by-products through an approach zero waste, strengthening the capacity to ISFA to process and transform nuts in its own facilities. Furthermore, the operation promotes technological modernization, water efficiency, and the decarbonization of the primary sector—critical elements for food security and the ecological transition.

 

Key Concept	Details of the Operation
Committed investment	Up to 25 million euros
Instrument	Capital and preferred debt
Source fund	Fondo de Coinversión (FOCO)
International co-investor	Three Hills (Londres)
Expansion objective	1.000 hectares of SES crops annually
Total allocation of FOCO	2.000 millones de euros

 

Ángela Pérez, President and CEO of COFIDESHe emphasized that "the investment of FOCO This will contribute to accelerating the modernization of the Spanish agri-food sector, promoting production models based on technologically advanced agriculture.” According to the executive, this participation will allow ISFA consolidate an innovative model aligned with the objectives of the green transition.

 

For its part, Pablo Velez, partner of Three HillsHe emphasized the company's ability to combine profitability with sustainability: "We consider ISFA a key player in the transformation of the European agricultural sector towards more resilient operating models." This operation is the fifth investment in its strategy Three Hills Impact and strengthens its presence in the Spanish market after opening an office in Madrid in 2024.

 

Strategic expansion and crop diversification

 

The CEO and founding partner of ISFA, Asier UgaldeaHe explained that the entry of COFIDES y FOCO It provides a solid foundation for executing your expansion plans. The roadmap includes:

 

• Sustainable development of approximately 1.000 hectares of crops annually in the Iberian Peninsula.
• Increased industrial capabilities to strengthen vertical integration.
• Diversification towards new mechanizable crops such as pistacho and the blueberrycomplementing its current focus on the almond.

 

About FOCOIt should be remembered that it is an instrument endowed with 2.000 billion euros from the addendum of the Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia (PRTR), funded with funds NextGenerationEUIts mission is to attract foreign investment linked to technological innovation and the digital transition.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about investing in ISFA

 

What is the FOCO fund and what is its role in this operation?

El Fondo de Coinversión (FOCO) is a €2.000 billion public instrument that seeks to attract foreign investment to EspañaIn this case, it contributes up to 25 million euros by co-investing with the British firm Three Hills.

 

What does ISFA's SES model consist of?

El Sustainable Efficient System (SES) is a model of technified and intensive agriculture that prioritizes the water efficiency and environmental sustainability, enabling resilient and high value-added agricultural development.

 

What new markets or products is the company targeting?

In addition to consolidating its leadership in the production of almond, ISFA will use this investment to diversify into mechanizable crops such as pistacho and the blueberry in the main Iberian basins.