Study finds opening for Irish firms in French food market

BORD Bia research into the eating habits of the French, which was outlined in Paris yesterday, has shown market opportunities for Irish food and drink companies.

It showed that French consumers are open minded when it comes to trying new foods and that 80% are willing to pay more for healthy food and beverages as long as they taste good.

The full findings of the Continental PERIscope study into consumer trends in France were presented to Irish food and drink companies participating at SIAL, the biennial international food trade exhibition.

French consumers were shown to have a greater awareness of diet and healthy eating than most Europeans with 92% believing that to be healthy it is important to eat properly, while 87% are conscious of the nutritional benefits of food.

The French endorse the notion that good food can enhance body and mind (83% agreement) and 73% consider what they eat to be important for their mental wellbeing, according to the study.

Cooking traditions and family meals continue to be an important part of French culture, with consumers viewing food as ‘fun’ as well as important.

French men are particularly passionate about their food compared to their European counterparts.

Some 43% of French men find cooking to be good fun — compared with 14% of Irishmen. Only 7% of Irishmen would enjoy throwing a dinner party where they do all the cooking, while in France this figure is 15%.

French food culture exhibits a strong emphasis on the source and traceability of food with 53% of consumers claiming only to buy food that is fully traceable (Ireland 52%, 25% in Britain and 27% in the Netherlands).

The research will allow Irish food and drink companies to take a consumer perspective that can be applied to their businesses.

Nine Irish meat companies and the Irish Dairy Board are exhibiting at SIAL, where Bord Bia is also holding a familiarisation visit for a further 10 potential Irish exporters to the market.

Bord Bia chair Angela Kennedy said she was delighted to see such a strong participation by the Irish food sector at the event.