Paris trade mission for two city firmshead

TWO Londonderry businesses are among 40 firms exhibiting at the SIAL 2012 in Paris this week.

Among the ‘red meat companies’ on the Northern Ireland Naturally stand in the meat hall is Foyle Food Group. Also on the Northern Ireland Naturally stand is Doherty Meats, Londonderry – gluten free meat products.

SIAL 2012 , the world’s biggest food and drink trade exhibition, runs until tomorrow, October 25.

In all 13 companies will be 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 on 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.”