UK food brands pitch export growth at SIAL Paris

Thirty fast-growing British food and drink brands showcased products at SIAL Paris from Oct. 17-21 as the UK pushes toward a £35 billion export target by 2035. The event connected exporters with international buyers and highlighted the role of innovation in winning market share overseas.

Why it matters: - The UK food and drink sector is trying to grow exports from £25.7 billion in 2025 to £35 billion by 2035. - Industry leaders say that growth will come more from premium value products than from higher volumes. - The Paris showcase was designed to turn innovation into export orders and stronger market access.

What happened: - 30 of the UK’s fastest-growing challenger brands showcased products in the UK Pavilion’s Innovation Zone at SIAL Paris from 17-21 October. - The display brought together brands working in regenerative agriculture, plant-based products, functional foods, premium ingredients and better-for-you products. - Stephen Morgan MP, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, visited the Innovation Zone and met exhibitors. - The event formed part of a wider UK export programme aimed at connecting British producers with buyers around the world. - More than 75 international buyers travelled to London before SIAL Paris for a GREAT Food and Drink Meet the Buyer event. - Participating brands were recognised at a reception hosted by the British Embassy in Paris during SIAL.

The details: - Featured brands included XOXO Soda, Wildfarmed, Bold Bean Co, Bio & Me, Symplicity, Crosta Mollica, TRIP and Tiba Tempeh. - The showcase highlighted businesses helping reshape perceptions of British food and drink in overseas markets. - UK food and drink exports reached £25.7 billion in 2025. - France took £2.9 billion of UK food, feed and drink exports in 2025, making it one of the sector’s most important markets. - The UK and EU are discussing a future Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement intended to make agri-food trade simpler, faster and more predictable while maintaining standards. - If implemented, the SPS deal is expected to improve market access and strengthen trading relationships on both sides. - A note included with the release said the UK and EU announced on 19 May 2025 that they would pursue a new SPS agreement to reduce certification requirements, declarations and physical inspections. - The Great Taste logo featured prominently among exhibitors. - Across the exhibitors, there are almost 200 Great Taste awards, including 158 1-star awards, 29 2-star awards and 4 3-star awards.

Between the lines: - The UK’s export pitch is increasingly centered on innovation, provenance and brand differentiation rather than traditional commodity sales. - British businesses are being positioned as answers to emerging consumer trends, which helps explain the focus on regenerative, health-led and functional products. - The Paris event also signals how trade shows, embassy support and buyer programs are being used together to convert international attention into export growth. - Barney Mauleverer, chairman of FDEA and founder of Future of Food, said buyers at SIAL were looking for what is next and found it on the UK stand. - Mauleverer said innovation is what is winning orders, alongside provenance and heritage. - Stephen Morgan MP said the showcase demonstrated the breadth of talent, creativity and export potential in the UK food and drink sector. - John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, said the exhibitors reflected strong creativity, quality and craftsmanship.

What's next: - The UK export push will continue market by market and buyer by buyer, with a focus on building relationships that lead to orders. - Industry groups will keep using events such as SIAL Paris and buyer missions to support the £35 billion export goal. - Further progress on the UK-EU SPS talks could affect trade costs, speed and predictability for food and drink exporters.

The bottom line: - UK food and drink exporters are betting that premium, innovative products will unlock the next phase of overseas growth.