Fifteen food and drink businesses from across Ireland have returned from SIAL Paris 2026, with valuable new international contacts, potential business partnerships and export opportunities following a trade mission coordinated by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) in collaboration with the Local Enterprise Office network, with support from Enterprise Ireland. Among them was Donegal’s New Kid Coffee, represented by Olivia Finney, travelling with a delegation led by Elaine Whoriskey of Local Enterprise Office Donegal.

The delegation brought together businesses from across Ireland to explore new markets, meet potential international partners and strengthen their export ambitions at one of the world’s leading food innovation and trade events

SIAL Paris 2026 Irish EEN Delegation (Left to Right)

John O’Hara (Local Enterprise Office, Donegal), Glenn Hunter & Aisling Kelly Hunter (Sligo Bay Oysters), Magaly Murray (Gran Gran Foods Ltd), Bernie Evard (Evard Consulting), Nicola Kennedy (Local Enterprise Office, Mayo), Irene Lynch (Local Enterprise Office, Westmeath), Peter Mark Wheeler (Pedro Davi), Adriana Novaes & Marcello Novaes (Zaira), Caitriona Duffy (Local Enterprise Office, Westmeath), Linda Earlie (Enterprise Ireland), Ciaran Fitzpatrick (Barry Flanagan (Kildare Brewing Company), Cormac Kelly (Kellys of Newport), Mary O’Hanlon (Tasty Parlour Ltd), Michael Timmons (Local Enterprise Office, Kildare), Olivia Finney (New Kid Coffee), Matthew Collins (Sibly Foods ltd).  

SIAL Paris 2026, now running for more than 60 years, draws over 8,000 exhibitors from 130 countries and close to 300,000 visitors. It provides an important platform for businesses seeking to expand internationally, connect with buyers and distributors, and showcase their products to a global audience. For participating Irish companies, the mission offered an opportunity to develop relationships with potential customers, explore new markets and gain insights into international food and drink trends.

The mission was supported by the Enterprise Europe Network, which helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) identify international business opportunities, establish cross-border partnerships and navigate the challenges of expanding into new markets. Through its network of business support organisations across more than 50 countries, EEN connects ambitious companies with the expertise, contacts and resources needed to grow internationally.

The Irish delegation’s programme included opportunities to engage with international stakeholders and build relationships that can support future commercial development. These activities were complemented by wider engagement with Irish representatives and enterprise support organisations such as the Local Enterprise Office Network, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, helping businesses make the most of their time at the event.

SIAL Paris 2026 – Irish Embassy Reception (Left to Right)

Oisín Geoghegan (Local Enterprise Office, Fingal), Noel Grealish TD (Minister of State for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine), Dearbhla Doyle (Deputy Head of Mission / Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Ireland in France), Dr. Conor Patterson (Chief Executive Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency), Ciarán Göbl (Agricultural, Food and Fisheries Attaché for Ireland).

The delegation had an opportunity to attend a prestigious networking reception at the Embassy of Ireland in Paris, hosted by Ambassador Alison Milton and attended by Minister Noel Grealish TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Speaking at the reception, Oisín Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise with Fingal Local Enterprise Office and Chair of the Local Enterprise Office Food Committee, highlighted the importance of networking at SIAL and that the contacts made during the trade mission could open doors for years to come.

Leading the EEN delegation was Elaine Whoriskey of Local Enterprise Office Donegal. She said: “SIAL Paris provided an excellent opportunity for Irish food and drink businesses to connect with potential international partners, explore new markets and showcase the quality and innovation of their products. The value of the mission extends beyond the event itself. Our focus now is on building on the connections made, supporting businesses with follow-up opportunities and helping them turn these conversations into lasting international partnerships.”

The mission demonstrates the value of coordinated enterprise support in helping Irish SMEs develop the connections, knowledge and confidence needed to compete in international markets

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the world's largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions. It helps businesses identify international opportunities, find commercial and technology partners, explore new markets and access advice to support innovation and international growth.

In Ireland, EEN works in collaboration with enterprise support organisations, including the Local Enterprise Offices, to help ambitious businesses develop cross-border partnerships and reach new customers.

For more information, visit https://een-ireland.ie/