French agricultural trade shows set food trends - Directory

AgExporter, March, 1992 by Anne Jougit, Claude Nadai

Just as France is a trendsetter for clothing, it also is a trendsetter for food. Products accepted by French consumers have a high potential for European and international success. Just as those in the apparel trade know that annual French fashion shows set clothing trends, food professionals know that French food exhibits set European and international food trends.

Food shows in France are not only big business, but also a national pastime. Shows open to the public often draw over 1 million visitors. These visitors are not idle spectators, but serious consumers investigating the latest product lines and services. There is hardly any time of year when there is not an agricultural trade show scheduled in France, and U.S. agricultural exporters may want to take advantage of any trip to Europe to visit a show.

The U.S. Office of Agricultural Affairs in Paris has identified 65 agricultural trade shows in 1992-93 (annual shows are counted twice) that should be of interest to U.S. agricultural exporters, either as potential sites for product exhibition or for investigating food trends. Of special interest to U.S. food manufacturers, processors and sellers will be SIAL '92, Oct. 25-29, 1992, which will be the largest food show in the world in 1992. USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service will sponsor and manage a major U.S. pavilion with approximately 85 booths, several conference rooms and a business lounge.

The following is a listing of agricultural trade shows for trade/professionals only and shows open to the general public. The U.S. Office of Agricultural Affairs in Paris will assist U.S. exporters in obtaining additional information on any of these shows. [Tabular Data Omitted]

SIAL: A Trade Show of International Dimensions

U.S. exporters interested in an opportunity to present their products to an international group of buyers should consider SIAL '92. This biannual trade show, scheduled for October 25-29, in Paris Nord-Villepinte, will be the largest food show held in the world this year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will sponsor a USA pavilion with 85 booths, giving U.S. exporters an opportunity to exhibit and promote their products to buyers from over 90 countries.

Since its beginning in 1964, SIAL has gained a reputation as one of the finest professionals-only food trade shows in the world. In 1990, over 90,000 professionals visited SIAL. The show was deemed such a success that in 1992 there will be two separate shows, one for beverages, to be held June 15-19 in Paris Nord-Villepinte, and the regular SIAL in October.

U.S. exporters interested in learning more about participating in SIAL '92 should contact Betsy Offutt, Trade Show Coordinator, FAS, Tel. (202) 720-3425 or Fax (202) 690-4374.