The Salon du Fromage event in Paris, which takes place from 28 February to 2 March, showcases 190 artisan dairy producers from 12 countries.

Two Irish cheeses were among the eight products chosen out of a total of 72 entries for the prestigious Coup de Couer award, following a blind test by a jury of nine chefs and cheesemongers.

The two winners, The Little Milk Company and Cashel Farmhouse Cheese, were saluted for their success by Bord Bia, which has a presence at the trade show over the four days.

In addition to providing market insight and logistical support, Bord Bia has arranged meetings with buyers for the seven Irish companies participating at the event. Bord Bia will also host a trade reception on the stand for up to 100 guests to further develop relations between the Irish cheese-makers and French buyers.

Irish cheese in France

Ireland has the second largest non-French presence at the show and, according to Noreen Lanigan, Bord Bia manager for France and Belgium, there has never been a better time to introduce French buyers to Irish farmhouse cheese.

“French cheesemongers now stock on average 16 foreign cheeses from their total selection of 130, representing around 10% of their turnover,” she said.

“According to new trade research, over 30% of cheese shops intend to increase their range of imported cheese,” she added.

“This is already translating into a significant increase in Irish artisan cheese imports to France, which have trebled since our presence at the Salon two years ago and now amount to approximately 18t per year.”

Read more

Irish dairy exports in volume terms