From 17 to 21 October 2026, VLAM participated in SIAL Paris alongside 39 Flemish exporters. With 8,000 exhibitors, 400,000 products, participants from 130 countries and an exhibition area of approximately 280,000 square metres, SIAL ranks among the world's largest international food trade fairs.
Under the umbrella of VLAM and the Belgian Meat Office, 23 companies from the meat sector, 10 companies from the poultry and rabbit sector and 6 dairy companies took part. For many years, the trade fair has provided an excellent opportunity to meet potential new buyers and strengthen existing business relationships.
Export position of the participating sectors
The Belgian food industry is strongly export-oriented, particularly in the dairy and meat sectors. In 2025, Belgian dairy exports exceeded €6.15 billion, with cheese, butter, cream and drinking milk among the main product categories. Belgium also exported €1.37 billion worth of fresh and frozen pork, €872 million worth of beef and veal, and €1.25 billion worth of poultry meat.
France is a key trading partner, particularly for poultry meat, for which it is the largest export market. It is also the second-largest export destination for dairy products and beef. Other European countries, as well as markets in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, are also important export destinations for Belgian dairy and meat products.
During the trade fair, numerous buyers from these regions attended SIAL Paris, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase Belgian dairy products, pork, beef and poultry meat to an international professional audience.
