SIAL Paris, one of the world’s largest international food and beverage trade fairs, took place in Paris on 17–21 October. Held every two years, the exhibition attracts around 285,000 visitors from more than 200 countries. Ukraine once again reaffirmed its position as a reliable supplier of agri-food products and strengthened its presence in international markets.

More than 300 B2B meetings at Ukraine’s National stand in the Dairy Hall

For the first time, Ukraine’s National Stand was located in the dedicated dairy hall at SIAL Paris. Previously, Ukrainian exhibitors had showcased their products in other halls. The National Stand brought together six dairy exporters from the Zhytomyr, Poltava, Rivne and Cherkasy regions.

The exhibitors included Ruzhyn-Moloko (RUMO), Organic Milk LLC (Organic Milk), Khorol Infant Nutrition Factory LLC (MALUTKA), Radyvylivmoloko LLC (RADYMO), Lubenskiy molochniy zavod LLC (GARMONIJA) and Pervomaiskyi molochnokonservnyi kombinat PrJSC (Voloshkove Pole).

For some exhibitors, participation in SIAL Paris provided an opportunity to build on existing cooperation with international partners; for others, it marked the start of new negotiations. For Lubenskiy molochniy zavod LLC (GARMONIJA) and Radyvylivmoloko LLC (RADYMO), it was their first time exhibiting at the fair.

Over the five days of the exhibition, Ukrainian exporters at the National Stand held more than 300 productive B2B meetings with potential partners from Europe, North America, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. Representatives from Canada, Singapore, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Libya, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Norway, Malta and other countries expressed interest in Ukrainian dairy products.
The meetings explored a range of potential partnerships with international traders, processing companies, distributors and retail chain representatives.

Visitors to the stand discovered the Ukrainian manufacturers’ product range, including condensed milk, butter, whole-milk products, processed cheese, cream cheese, cottage cheese, milk powder, yoghurts, sour cream, dairy desserts, ice cream, infant formula and baby cereals.

The National Stand also welcomed Alexander Anton, Secretary General of the European Dairy Association (EDA).

The first Ukrainian Dairy Exporters Catalogue was prepared for SIAL Paris 2026. Featuring information on 31 companies and 45 production facilities, it was designed to help international partners learn more about Ukrainian manufacturers and identify potential suppliers.

Ukrainian industry associations presented exporters at the Collective Stand

Six Ukrainian industry associations presented their sectors at Ukraine’s Collective Stand. This format brings together organisations with different areas of expertise and experience in working with manufacturers. For international partners, it offers a convenient opportunity to gain a broader understanding of Ukraine’s food sector, its characteristics and opportunities for cooperation in a single meeting. For the associations themselves, it provides an opportunity to present their industries directly, discuss shared interests and establish contacts that could form the basis for future cooperation.

The stand featured the Ukrainian Confectionery Association UKRKONDPROM, the Ukrainian Berries Association, the Ukrainian Food Manufacturers Alliance (UFMA), the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine, Organic Initiative and the Union “Millers of Ukraine”.

During the exhibition, the associations presented their activities, advised visitors and held meetings with international partners. Meetings at the stand brought together potential partners from Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. In total, more than 200 business contacts were established.

Discussions focused on opportunities to supply Ukrainian products to international markets. In particular, preliminary agreements were reached on exporting nachos to Poland, while a contract to supply coffee to a Polish retail chain is being prepared.

Visitors to the stand included importers, distributors, traders, retail buyers and representatives of the hotel, restaurant and catering sector (HoReCa). They expressed interest in freeze-dried fruit and berries, cereals and oilseeds, organic dairy products, cheeses, sauces, snacks, flour, buckwheat and pasta. The stand welcomed representatives from Poland, Czechia, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United States, Canada, China, India, South Korea, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, Armenia, South Africa and Kenya.

Representatives of the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office and the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) also held a series of introductory meetings with PROCOMER (Costa Rica), Amsterdam Trade & Invest, PRODECA (Catalonia), FENAGRI (Morocco) and the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association. Discussions covered approaches to supporting exporters and practical tools that help companies find partners abroad.

The meetings also provided an opportunity to exchange experience. The Ukrainian representatives outlined their work with exporters and their support for Ukrainian manufacturers entering international markets, while international partners shared practices from their respective countries and regions.

Ukraine’s ambassador to france supported Ukrainian manufacturers at SIAL Paris

Vadym Omelchenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to France, visited the Ukrainian stands at SIAL Paris. He spoke with manufacturers, explored their products and expressed support for the teams representing Ukraine at the international exhibition. For participants, the visit was a meaningful sign of recognition and an additional incentive to continue developing partnerships and promoting Ukrainian products in international markets.

Ten companies presented their products at the Ukrainian berries association’s National Stand

The exhibitors were SAV Agro Partner LLC, Tevitta, ASV Fruit LLC, Rokytne Berry LLC, LAKY-2017 LLC, Catanzaro Eurasia (Alta Kraina), Tarta LLC, Three Bears LLC, Khlibodar LLC (Rumianets ) and Elikatnyi Smak LLC.

The stand brought together manufacturers and processors from various segments of the food industry. Companies showcased fresh and frozen berries and fruit, vegetables, ready meals and convenience foods, ice cream and bakery products. This range enabled international visitors to explore the diversity of Ukrainian food products in one place.

During the exhibition, participants held hundreds of business meetings with potential partners, leading to preliminary agreements on possible product supplies. Following the exhibition, they will continue negotiations with prospective international distributors and work on the terms of cooperation.

Representatives of EVA, GADZ, GIRNOV, Veres, YAROFRUIT LLC, Yasmina Company LLC, ALEKS-IS LLC and VITAMIN 2025 LLC, exhibiting at Ukraine’s National Stand organised by the UKRSADVINPROM Public Union, also held 150 relevant B2B meetings and reached initial agreements on cooperation. Visitors from Czechia, Germany, the United States, Israel and France expressed interest in the products on display.

Overall, Ukraine was represented at SIAL Paris 2026 by seven national and collective stands and 28 individual exhibits. This extensive presence was made possible through the joint efforts of Ukrainian industry associations, public institutions and international partners.

The exhibition enables manufacturers to engage directly with potential buyers, while industry associations present their sectors and help international partners navigate the Ukrainian market. These contacts lay the groundwork for further negotiations and the development of trade relations.

Ukrainian food products already hold a prominent position in international markets. In 2025, Ukraine’s exports of prepared food products totalled USD 3.92 billion, while exports of milk and dairy products reached USD 321.3 million. Dairy exports increased by 12% compared with the previous year.

Despite the challenges of the full-scale war, Ukraine’s food sector continues to export and expand its international presence. This is supported by proximity to key markets, a well-developed regulatory environment and manufacturers’ openness to innovation.