Jean-Baptiste Doumeng

Shortly after the war, he moved to Paris and met Charles Hilsum, who at the time was the head of the Soviet-controlled Banque Commerciale pour l’Europe du Nord (BCEN). Doumeng learned from Hilsum that Czechoslovakia was willing to sell surplus tractors for food. With help from the bank, Doumeng was able to exchange French potatoes for tractors.^[3]

He later brought together many southwestern French agriculture cooperatives and formed the Union des Cooperatives Agricoles du Sud Ouest (Ucaso). Doumeng provided Ucaso with tractors and animal food imported from Eastern Europe in exchange for agriculture products.^[3]

Doumeng founded Interagra in 1947. The company was owned 30% by Ucaso and 70% by Doumeng and his two sons.^[3] The main business of Interagra was selling surplus goods of the European Economic Community to Eastern Bloc nations, mainly the Soviet Union.^[8]

In 1973, Interagra received attention after selling approximately 200 thousand tons of butter to the Soviet Union.^[9] In an interview, Doumeng claimed this move was altruistic, alleging that he "may never get anything out of this," but that "the important thing is that the butter has been moved and this is good for the farmers."^[10] Shortly after the deal, it was reported that Russia was slated to sell 50 thousand tons of the butter they bought to Chile.^[11]

Leadership of the company was taken over by Doumeng's son, Michel, following his death. Later, the Soviet Union and France signed a grain deal with $280 million (1988 USD). Under this deal, Interagra was expected to give 2 million tonnes of French cereals.^[12]

Interagra bought 200,000 tons of sugar from Cuba in 1992.^[13] The following year, it was reported that Interagra had debts of up to $93 million and was later liquidated.^[14][6]

Doumeng died on 6 April 1987, at his home in Noé after battling a months-long illness.^[15] In his honor, Fidel Castro sent wreaths to Doumeng's funeral.^[2] All of Doumeng's wealth was given to his wife.^[4]

Doumeng's son, Michel, succeeded him to become chairman of Interagra.^[12]