Big Irish presence at SIAL exhibition

Sustainable food production to feed an anticipated world population of nine billion people by 2050 was the central themes at the five-day SIAL exhibition in Paris which ends in Paris today.

A total of 21 Irish companies, a 40% increase on 2012, participated in the biennial global food trade show which had 6,300 exhibitors and attracted 150,000 visitors from 200 countries.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney attended to support Bord Bia and the Irish companies in pursuit of new business opportunities.

The majority of the Irish companies were based at the Origin Green pavilions, managed and co-ordinated by Bord Bia.

It will also conduct a market study visit to leading French retailers today for non-exhibiting Irish companies visiting SIAL.

Irish food and beverage exports to France in 2013 amounted to €673 million, an increase of 14% since 2012.