British food brands court global buyers at SIAL Paris

Thirty fast-growing UK food and drink brands showcased products in Paris this week as the sector pushes toward a 40.3 billion euro export target by 2035. The event also highlighted the UK’s export strategy, its growing focus on higher-value products and the importance of smoother trade with the EU.

Why it matters: - The UK is trying to grow food and drink exports by moving more branded, higher-value products into overseas markets. - The sector exported about 29.6 billion euros in 2025 and is targeting 40.3 billion euros by 2035. - France remains a key market, importing about 3.3 billion euros of UK food, feed and drink goods in 2025. - A simpler UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement could make trade faster, cheaper and more predictable.

What happened: - Thirty of the UK’s fastest-growing food and drink brands were featured in the Innovation Zone at SIAL Paris from Oct. 17-21. - The British pavilion in Paris showcased companies including XOXO Soda, Wildfarmed, Bold Bean Co, Bio & Me, Symplicity, Crosta Mollica, TRIP and Tiba Tempeh. - Stephen Morgan MP, the UK minister for food security and rural affairs, visited the Innovation Zone and met exhibitors. - The UK Embassy in Paris hosted a reception for the participating brands during the fair.

The details: - The display focused on regenerative agriculture, plant-based innovation, functional foods, premium ingredients and products that combine indulgence with health benefits. - The Innovation Zone was part of a wider UK export program that connects producers with buyers from around the world. - More than 75 international buyers traveled to London before SIAL Paris for a GREAT Food and Drink campaign event. - The “Meet the Buyer” format gave UK companies a chance to present products and explore new export opportunities. - British food and drink exports reached about 29.6 billion euros in 2025. - The sector wants to reach 40.3 billion euros in exports by 2035. - Growth is expected to come more from value added than from higher volumes. - The UK’s Great Taste program was prominent among exhibitors, with nearly 200 Great Taste awards across the participating producers. - Those awards included 158 one-star, 29 two-star and four three-star distinctions.

Between the lines: - The Paris push is as much about positioning as it is about sales. - The UK is selling its food sector as innovative, export-ready and capable of commanding a premium. - The emphasis on Great Taste awards, regenerative farming and functional foods suggests a strategy aimed at buyers looking for differentiation, not commodity supply. - The timing also reflects a broader effort to reduce trade friction with the EU while preserving high standards.

What’s next: - The UK will continue using buyer events and trade fairs to match brands with overseas importers market by market. - UK and EU officials are still negotiating the terms of a new SPS agreement. - Any deal would need to reduce certification, declaration and physical inspection requirements before trade can become easier in practice. - The FDEA said the export goal implies roughly 1.15 billion euros in additional exports a year over the next decade.

The bottom line: - Britain wants its food and drink export story to be defined less by tradition alone and more by innovation that buyers can sell at a premium.