Meat producers keen to wow French
Sial is one of the world’s largest food trade fairs, with almost 140,000 international visitors expected this year, of which more than 40% will be French buyers. France is the leading eurozone market for Irish food and drink products, and is the second largest global market after the UK.
With Ireland having achieved food exports of almost €650m to France last year, Bord Bia hopes significant contacts and contracts will be made at its Origin Green pavilions again this year. A further three Irish companies are exhibiting independently.
Bord Bia chairman Michael Carey said: “Despite challenging trading conditions, Irish exporters continue to grow their business in an increasingly competitive European marketplace.
“Irish food and drink exports to France in 2011 amounted to €646m, an increase of 13.9% since 2010.
“Over the coming days, Bord Bia and the Irish exhibitors will be working together to further develop existing and explore new trade relationships with buyers, based on the world-class quality and sustainable nature of food from Ireland.”
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Shane McEntee will visit Sial today.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to launch Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme at Sial following a meeting with French president François Hollande.
Mr McEntee said: “2012 marks the 19th year of Ireland’s participation at Sial and the show remains a major business development platform for Irish food exporters. Events such as Sial are fundamental to the industry’s drive in building exports to meet the ambitious export growth targets in Food Harvest 2020.
“France is Ireland’s biggest customer for lamb and seafood; second largest customer for beef; and third for whiskey. Irish food and drink companies value that custom. They are here to consolidate business and build new business.”
In advance of the show, Bord Bia has carried out a number of promotional activities to raise awareness of the Irish stand at Sial — including buyer canvassing and trade media communications, including targeted newsletters for in excess of 1,300 trade buyers.
Today, Bord Bia will host a trade reception on the Ireland stand to provide a valuable networking opportunity for the Irish exhibitors and their international customers. More than 200 food and drink international buyers are expected to attend.
One highlight of this Paris food fair will be the Sial d’Or Awards, with some 30 international trade publications helping to choose the winner from a shortlist of innovative and commercially successful products.
Each year, Checkout Magazine selects the Irish entrants and this year Green Saffron, a Cork-based food company, was chosen as the Irish winner for its Green Saffron Turkey Delight, a Tamil spice blend aimed at the Christmas leftovers market.
The overall Sial d’Or winner will be announced later today.
