The generous calcareous clay soils, , characteristic of the area and called « terres de groies » are perfectly suitable for breeding and growing cereals. In this favourable context, this cereal industry also developed naturally.

Farms, co-operatives, merchants, flour-milling trades, food process industry, etc... A whole thriving economic fabric appeared over time. At the same time, Rochelle-Pallice et Tonnay-Charente became two of the main French cereal ports : It is not by chance! Wheat is shipped to remote destinations, bought by particularly demanding clients, aware of their exceptional qualities.

Milk, butter and cereals ... ingredients well matched that have always been able to make one's respective assets yield a profit at the disposal of the economic development of the area of Surgères's Comunauté de Communes. Today, in particular with the experimental mill, the ENILIA-ENSMIC, Actilait and Arvalis-Institut du végétal, all of them firmly entrenched in the heart of Agripolis !