Irish firms target France

KEY buyers across Europe have been targeted by Bord Bia to visit the Irish pavilion at SIAL, the prestigious global food fair being held in Paris this week.

A total of ten Irish companies are exhibiting under the Ireland the Food Island banner in both the dairy and meat halls at the show, which Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan will visit today.

Bord Bia, which is co-ordinating the presence of the Irish companies, is also promoting Irish beef in twelve Monoprix outlets in the Paris region.

It aims to show French retailers that their consumers enjoy Irish beef.

Held once every two years, SIAL is hosting 5,200 exhibitors from 98 countries and is expected to attract over 135,000 visitors from 188 countries.

These visitors, half of whom will be French, are predominantly purchasing decision makers who attend from the retail, foodservice and distribution sectors seeking business partners.

The French retail food and drink market is worth an estimated €193 billion and is growing steadily at a rate of 3% per annum.

Last year, Irish food and drink exports to France were valued at €352m, with meat accounting for almost half the total.

Bord Bia’s meat promotion priorities in France are putting identified Irish beef onto the supermarket shelves on a year round basis, developing Irish beef sales in the foodservice sector, increasing consumer awareness of Irish lamb and developing retail sales.

Seven of Ireland’s top beef and lamb processors are exhibiting at the event.