Nine Irish meat companies and the Irish Dairy Board are taking part in the giant SIAL food fair in Paris which opened yesterday.
They are exhibiting under a "Ireland the Food Island" banner in two of SIAL's food halls. Bord Bia is also holding a market familiarisation visit to SIAL for a further 10 potential Irish exporters.
Minister for State for Agriculture Brendan Smith said that dairy exports represented 61 per cent of total Irish consumer food and drink exports to France in 2005, valued at approximately €96 million, making it the fourth largest export market globally for Irish dairy produce.
He said France was the second largest market for Irish whiskey internationally, with sales of €16 million in 2005 while total Irish drinks exports to France were €30 million.
In 2005, Ireland made a significant breakthrough by growing beef export volumes to France by 80 per cent. Ireland accounted for 13 per cent of all French beef imports last year.
France has maintained its position as the number one destination for Irish lamb, with export volumes of 33,000 tonnes, representing 40 per cent of total Irish sheepmeat production.
Bord Bia's pan-European beef promotional campaign spans nine EU export markets and 30 retail groups.
Also this week the Irish speciality food sector will be featured at a Celtic promotion in the food hall of the French department store Galeries Lafayette.
The promotion includes 10 Irish suppliers of more than 30 product lines, including farmhouse cheeses, handmade chocolates, Irish cake and scone mixes, spring waters and beer.