Around 40 Northern Ireland companies will be in Paris this week for the world’s biggest food and drink trade exhibition.
SIAL 2012, which runs from 21 - 25 October, will see thirteen companies from the Province showing products at the show on two Northern Ireland Naturally stands, organised by Invest Northern Ireland. In addition, a further 20 companies will be taking part in an Invest NI trade mission to the huge show. A further five companies have their own stands at the event.
Four of the leading meat processing businesses are taking part on the stand in the Meat Hall to boost European sales and will be showcasing new product ideas. A further seven companies, mostly smaller enterprises showing a broad range of food and drink products, will be represented on another Northern Ireland Naturally stand in a different hall.
Maynard Mawhinney, Invest NI Director of Food and Tourism, commenting on SIAL 2012, said: “This is the biggest-ever representation of Northern Ireland food and drink at a trade show anywhere in the world and reflects the strong focus among our companies on winning more business in Europe.
“The show is the most important event in the food and drink calendar this year and is expected to attract almost 150,000 visitors, the vast majority trade buyers from companies from across the world.
“It provides a perfect platform for our companies seeking to make contact with business people who have the authority to buy and are interested in purchasing new products and services.
“In addition, the exhibition and linked conferences enable businesses to keep abreast of trends and developments within the international food and drink scene.
“Attending events like SIAL is an important part of our support to help accelerate the growth of an industry that already generates more than £3 billion a year and supports almost 20,000 jobs in processing plants across Northern Ireland. It’s also an event which has generated significant business for participating companies from Northern Ireland in the past.”
Red Meat companies on the Northern Ireland Naturally stand in the Meat Hall:
Dunbia, Dungannon – beef, lamb and pork products.
Foyle Food Group, Londonderry – beef for leading retailers, manufacturers, foodservice providers and butchers across Europe and beyond.
Hewitt Meats, Armagh – beef processing.
Linden Foods, Dungannon – beef and lamb including dry-aged steak.
Companies on the Northern Ireland Naturally stand in general hall:
Buchanan’s, Carrickfergus – culinary ingredients such as soups and meals. The products include cereals, rices, pasta, dried and glace fruits and nuts.
Donegal Rapeseed, Castlederg – rapeseed oil processing for retail and foodservice customers.
Good4U, Cookstown – healthy sprouted products.
Heavenly Tasty Organics, Omagh – organic weaning meals for babies.
Holmes Deli / Hungry House, Portadown – sandwiches, wraps and desserts.
Little Big Shot, Belfast – manufacturer of natural energy drinks.
Mash Direct, Comber – ‘farm to fork’ convenience meals from potatoes and vegetables.
McWhinney’s Sausages, Bangor – traditional Irish pork sausages for retail and foodservices.
White’s Speedicook, Tandragee – porridge oats and toasted oat snacks.
Companies taking part in the Invest NI trade mission to SIAL 2012:
ABP, Newry – beef and lamb processing.
Around Noon, Newry – sandwiches and wraps.
Choux Choux, Bangor – mini desserts.
C&J Meats, Armagh – beef processing.
Cloughbane Farm Foods, Pomeroy – meat and gourmet pies.
Crawford Hide, Rathfriland – hide and sheepskin.
Crossgar Foodservices, Seaforde – food distributor.
Crust and Crumb, Derrylin – pizzas.
Dale Farm, Belfast – cheese and butter.
Doherty Meats, Londonderry – gluten free meat products.
Fane Valley, Armagh – dairy products.
Fivemiletown Creamery, Fivemiletown – speciality and cheddar cheese.
Golden Cow, Portadown – butter and cheese.
Greenfields Ireland, Belfast – dairy products.
K Hughes, Dungannon – mushrooms.
Kerry Group, Omagh – dairy ingredients.
Moon & Spoon Ireland, Newry – prepared meals.
Pritchitts, Newtownards – dairy products.
Thompson’s Family Teas, Belfast – teas.
Whoosh, Portrush – Asian foods and sauces
As well as companies taking part with Invest NI, five food firms have their own stands at the show. They are:
ABP, Newry – beef and lamb.
Dale Farm, Belfast – butter and cheese.
Kestrel Foods, Craigavon – dried fruit and nut snacks and muesli.
Moy Park, Craigavon – poultry products.
Vion, Cookstown – pork products.
SIAL is regarded as the foremost event in the food sector. Its aim is to strengthen the proximity between players in the industry. SIAL is seen as the most appropriate place to explore, discuss, sense, anticipate and adapt to the fast changing markets. Since daily economic instability requires considerable agility, SIAL enables face-to-face contact for high-performing companies to react to such changes.The global food market adapts to the growth of the emerging nations but the European market, with its 310,000 companies and 4.8 million employees, maintains a steady course. Its companies are stimulated by innovation and develop new products to grow and attract consumers from all over the world.
Over the years SIAL has become an effective business arena and a place to anticipate and highlight innovation, to interpret the trends and initiate new food fashions. SIAL reflects the perpetual change evident in the food markets.