Steps Forward Towards the Future of Agriculture in Romania

• In the midst of national expansion, the agricultural holding ROCA Agri RDF, owned by ROCA Investments, launches its first Sustainability Report, implementing the new reporting standards, applicable from 2024.

• The launch of the Report aligns with the group’s strategy to adopt robust best practice rules, contributing to the long-term development of sustainable agriculture in Romania. This commitment is internally embraced by ROCA Agri RDF.

• “Our commitment is to be a trusted partner for farmers and, together with them, promote a more responsible future for Romanian agriculture,” stated Alexandru Savin, CEO of ROCA Agri RDF.

• With business exceeding 156 million EUR in 2022, ROCA Agri RDF pursues an integrated approach in the sustainable agriculture segment, aiming to become a one-stop-shop solution for farmers. In the medium term, the holding aims to be listed on the main market of the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

ROCA Agri RDF, the agricultural holding launched by ROCA Investments, announces the release of its first Sustainability Report for the year 2022. The report evaluates the impact generated by the holding’s activities on social, economic, and environmental areas, while unveiling the strategic sustainability pillars governing the group. The launch of the Report aligns with the group’s strategy to adopt robust best practice rules, contributing to the long-term development of sustainable agriculture in Romania. This commitment is internally embraced by ROCA Agri RDF, at the initiative of its shareholders, ROCA Investments and Florin Deznan.

Thus, anticipating the European Directive applicable from the financial year 2024 regarding corporate sustainability reporting, ROCA Agri RDF pursues an integrated approach in the sustainable agriculture segment, assumimg the goal to become a one-stop-shop solution for farmers and to bring innovation to Romanian agriculture through a digitized approach with enhanced productivity.

Furthermore, by transferring its know-how to its partners, the holding encourages the sustainable development of local agriculture, promotes responsible and efficient practices and contributes to the growth of this vital sector for both the economy and the environment.

“The competitive agriculture of the future, that will be traded on major international exchanges, is sustainable agriculture, and Romania meets all the attributes to become a strategic player on the European agriculture map. Therefore, the implementation of robust principles, measurable through annual sustainability reports, represents a step forward in our strategy to scale this strategic sector of the country,” states Florin Deznan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ROCA Agri RDF.

“At ROCA Agri RDF, we have wholeheartedly embraced the role of pioneers in promoting sustainable agriculture in Romania. Our efforts and resources are focused on developing and providing innovative and efficient solutions to farmers, contributing to the sustainable growth of the agricultural sector. We take pride in actively contributing to the prosperity of agricultural communities by offering them access to advanced technologies, digitized approaches and exceptional expertise. Our commitment is to be a trusted partner for farmers and to jointly advocate for a more responsible future for Romanian agriculture,” says Alexandru Savin, CEO of ROCA Agri RDF.

The report sets fresh benchmarks within the Romanian agriculture, identifying 5 strategic pillars of sustainability for ROCA Agri RDF: Development and Investment Capital, Sustainable Agriculture and Trading, Sustainable Products, Natural Capital and Social Capital.

Therefore, the holding’s priorities include the acquisition of high-quality farms and lands, attracting other relevant companies within the holding, developing the production and logistics areas, climate zoning, investments in research and applied development to obtain quality and certified products, managing natural resources and biodiversity protection, as well as investments in education programs for farmers and employees, including leadership programs for farmers.

Within the Report, ROCA Agri RDF also presents its Sustainability Strategy, which prioritizes multiple objectives of sustainable agriculture, such as biodiversity protection and conservation, carbon footprint reduction, intelligent adaptation to climate change, ethical business approaches, responsible optimization of natural resources and the implementation of innovative technologies.

The entities included in the reporting process are the companies that are part of the ROCA Agri RDF Holding: RDF SA, RDF Agricultură and Adidana. The Sustainability Report does not cover the activities of the Supliment and Dachim companies, which were recently acquired by ROCA Agri RDF and integrated into the holding at the end of 2022.

ROCA Agri RDF Holding was launched in July 2022 and has a medium-term objective of being listed on the main market of the Bucharest Stock Exchange. In 2022, the holding generated revenues exceeding 156 million euros (figure reported in December 2022) and doubled its cultivated agricultural land, reaching a total of 4,000 hectares. Through its subsidiary companies, engaged in nationwide expansion, the holding stands as one of the key players in the production and distribution of agricultural inputs and cereal trading markets.

ROCA Investments, the majority shareholder of ROCA Agri RDF, is a brand founded by Impetum Group. As Romania’s most dynamic private equity company, ROCA Investments specializes in acquiring medium-sized entrepreneurial companies and transforming them into high-performing entities in strategically targeted sectors.

Through its holdings and subsidiaries, ROCA Investments is present in 14 regions across the country, focusing on two specialized strategic sectors: the industrial sector, through ROCA Industry Holding, and the agribusiness sector, through ROCA Agri RDF Holding.

Recently, the industrial holding ROCA Industry launched its own Sustainability Report, thereby setting new standards in the Romanian industry for measuring the impact and performance of sustainability strategies.