LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, October 23, 2026 -- 30 of the UK’s fastest-growing challenger brands met global buyers as industry chases £35bn export goal.

GREAT food and drink innovation was firmly in the global spotlight at SIAL Paris (17-21 October) this week, as the UK Pavilion's Innovation Zone brought together some of the country's most exciting brands to showcase the future of food to international buyers.

From regenerative agriculture and plant-based innovation to functional foods, premium ingredients and better-for-you products, the showcase demonstrated why the UK is increasingly recognised as one of the world's most innovative and dynamic food and drink nations.

The high-profile showcase was attended by Stephen Morgan MP, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who met exhibitors in the Innovation Zone and heard how British businesses are helping shape the future of food while creating new export opportunities around the world.

Featured brands included XOXO Soda, Wildfarmed, Bold Bean Co, Bio & Me, Symplicity, Crosta Mollica, TRIP and Tiba Tempeh, alongside a wider selection of innovative businesses helping to redefine perceptions of British food and drink internationally.

The showcase formed part of a broader UK export programme designed to connect British producers with buyers from around the world. Ahead of SIAL Paris, more than 75 international buyers travelled to London for a dedicated GREAT Food and Drink Meet the Buyer event, creating valuable opportunities for UK businesses to build relationships, present products and explore future export opportunities.

FDEA Chairman and Future of Food founder Barney Mauleverer said: “Buyers come to SIAL to find what’s next and this week a lot of them found it on the UK stand. These brands are changing the food system - from regenerative flour to gut friendly breakfasts - and they’re doing it with products people really want to buy. Provenance and heritage have always opened doors for British food. Innovation is what’s winning the orders.”

UK food and drink exports reached £25.7 billion in 2025. The industry’s goal is £35 billion by 2035 and much of that growth will come from value rather than volume - premium, branded products that buyers cannot source anywhere else.

Mauleverer added: “We’ve set ourselves an audacious goal - £35bn of UK food and drink exports by 2035. Easing borders and building exporters’ capability both matter, but nothing beats putting a great UK brand in front of the right buyer. That’s what Paris was about and it’s what we’ll keep doing - market by market, buyer by buyer.”

Participating brands were also recognised at a reception hosted by the British Embassy in Paris during SIAL, highlighting the UK's commitment to supporting ambitious food and drink businesses as they grow internationally.

The event also came at an important time for UK-EU food and drink trade. The UK and EU continue discussions on a future Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, intended to make agri-food trade simpler, faster and more predictable while maintaining the high standards consumers expect. If implemented, the agreement is expected to help strengthen trading relationships and improve market access for food and drink businesses on both sides.

France remains one of the UK's most important food and drink export markets, receiving £2.9 billion of UK food, feed and drink exports in 2025, while total UK food, feed and drink exports reached £25.7 billion during the same period.

Stephen Morgan MP, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs remarked:

“SIAL Paris is a fantastic platform to showcase the amazing innovation, ambition and quality that exists across the UK's food and drink sector. The Innovation Zone highlighted businesses that are responding to emerging consumer trends and developing products that are attracting growing international interest.

“Combined with the GREAT Food and Drink buyer programme and activity at the British Embassy in Paris, the showcase demonstrated the breadth of talent, creativity and export potential that exists across the UK food and drink industry. We are delighted to see such strong engagement from buyers looking to discover the next generation of British food and drink success stories.”

The success of the Innovation Zone has reinforced the UK's position as one of the world's most dynamic food and drink nations, showcasing businesses that are not only producing exceptional products today, but helping shape the future of food for consumers around the world.

John Farrand, Managing Director, Guild of Fine Food commented: “The Innovation Zone perfectly highlighted the creativity and quality prevalent across the UK food and drink industry at the moment.

“Amongst the producers exhibiting were some real examples of innovation and craftmanship, with an impressive number sporting the Great Taste logo, a marker of exceptional quality. Between the exhibitors, there are almost 200 Great Taste awards, including 158 1-star, 29 2-star and 4 much coveted 3-star accolades, given to extraordinarily tasty products.

“I was proud to see Great Taste again helping to move the dial in terms of quality, supporting truly outstanding products. It was encouraging too, to see so much interest from international buyers; further evidence that British food and drink continues to earn recognition on the global stage for both quality and innovation.”

ENDS

• UK food, feed and drink exports were valued at £25.7 billion in 2025. France received £2.9 billion, making it the UK’s second-largest export market in the sector. Source: HMRC trade data.

• The UK and EU announced on 19 May 2025 that they would pursue a new SPS agreement to make agri-food trade easier, cheaper and more predictable by reducing certification requirements, declarations and physical inspections. Detailed arrangements remain subject to negotiation.

GREAT campaign

The GREAT Food and Drink campaign brings the best of the UK’s exceptional food and drink produce to consumers across the globe. From Scottish salmon and English sparkling wine, Welsh Lamb to Northern Irish gin, our food is recognised at home and abroad for its great taste and high quality.

In the UK, we often do things a little differently. British producers aren’t afraid to push boundaries and adapt to diverse audiences and changing tastes. But it’s not all about the next best thing, we do the

classics well too. This uniquely British blend of the old and the new is driving international demand, with UK food and drink exported to 220 countries and territories across the globe.

About the FDEA

The Food and Drink Exporters Association (FDEA) is a collaborative, UK-wide network supporting food and drink exporters. It helps members connect with international buyers, learn from the best and grow new sales, with a shared goal of £35bn of UK food and drink exports by 2035 - £1bn of new sales each year for ten years. fdea.org.uk | foodcollaborative.co.uk

About the Future of Food Competition

The Future of Food Competition finds and champions the UK’s most promising food and drink innovators across five transition themes: health, production, technology, waste and equity. Its finalists and alumni feed directly into FDEA export showcases and buyer events. futureoffood.org.uk

For further information please contact greatbritishfood@four.agency.

GREAT campaign

GREAT Food and Drink campaign

greatbritishfood@four.agency

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