The Irish food and drink industry focuses its attention on pursuing new business opportunities this week as companies join Bord Bia at SIAL, the world’s leading biennial food trade show taking place in Paris. Fourteen Irish meat companies and one Irish dairy cooperative will exhibit on ‘Origin Green’ pavilions managed and coordinated by Bord Bia, with a further three Irish companies exhibiting independently. The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Shane McEntee TD will visit SIAL tomorrow (Monday) and, following a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny will also attend the event to launch Bord Bia’s ‘Origin Green’ programme.
SIAL is one of the world’s largest food trade fairs with 5,900 exhibitors representing over 100 countries and almost 140,000 international visitors expected this year, of which over 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. Speaking in advance of his visit, Minister 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.”
Minister McEntee added “SIAL is noted for innovation. It is fitting that SIAL is the location for the international launch by An Taoiseach of Bord Bia’s ‘Origin Green’ initiative. As with Food Harvest 2020, the Origin Green programme provides a practical and cohesive approach to enabling growth. The commitment of Irish food and drink companies to the initiative will enable the sector to demonstrate leadership and solid credentials in sustainably produced food and drink.”
Michael Carey, Chairman, Bord Bia commented “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 €646 million, 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.”
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, trade media communications including targeted newsletters for in excess of 1,300 trade buyers. Tomorrow (Monday 22nd October) 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. Over 200 food and drink international buyers are expected to attend.
SIAL d’OR
The focal point of SIAL is innovation and this is highlighted by the SIAL d’Or Awards and the comprehensive innovation zone at the event, presenting latest new product developments. The Awards, launched in 1986, are organized with the active involvement of 30 international trade publications that highlight innovative and commercially successful products in each of their domestic markets. 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 post-Christmas leftovers market. The overall SIAL d’Or winner will be announced tomorrow (Monday 22nd October). SIAL 2012 runs from October 21st – 25th.