Irish food sector targets lucrative French market

Brendan Smith, Irish minister of state at the department of agriculture and food, told the biennial international food trade exhibition yesterday that Irish food and drink exports to France were valued at €534 million in 2005, representing a 9 per cent increase over the previous year. Dairy exports were valued at approximately €96m in 2005 making it the fourth largest export market globally for Irish dairy produce, while France is now the second largest market for Irish whiskey internationally with sales in 2005 of €16m. "The strong growth in export performance of the food and drink industry to France, Ireland's second largest market, is impressive and I am delighted to see such a strong presence of Irish companies participating at SIAL under the Ireland the Food Island banner," said Smith. "The scale of this exhibition underlines the intensity of competition in the food market not only in France but globally and Ireland's performance in continuing to win new business is an affirmation of the quality of our ingredients." In 2005, Ireland also made progress by growing beef export volumes to France by 80 per cent. Ireland accounted for 13 per cent of all French beef imports last year. Smith said that this positive trend is continuing in 2006. The Irish speciality food sector also plans to launch a promotion to coincide with SIAL. The promotion includes some ten Irish suppliers of over 30 product lines including farmhouse cheeses, handmade chocolates, charcuterie products, traditional Irish cake and scone mixes along with spring waters and beer. These suppliers were sourced for the event following the success of the Irish Food Board (Bord Bia)'s specialty food forum in May, where a number of International trade buyers were guests. "The Celtic promotion at Lafayette Gourmet is an excellent showcase for our specialty food sector," said Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia chief executive. "It is directly attributable to the success of our event in May in Dublin and for such a wide range of products to be made available in such a prestigious outlet is an endorsement of the highest calibre. This gives valuable exposure to the companies themselves as well as impressing on the wider public the positive image that Irish food has earned in what is arguably one of the most discerning food markets in the world." SIAL is taking place from the 22 to 26 of October in Paris Villepinte. More than 136,000 international trade visitors will be present at the show.

Irish food sector targets lucrative French market

Irish food and drinks exports to France have now exceeded half a billion euros, delegates at an Irish Food Board trade reception at SIAL heard.

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