Cyprus brought 28 food and beverage companies to SIAL Paris 2026, using one of the industry’s largest international trade fairs to promote its national products and explore new export opportunities. Halloumi, the island’s flagship cheese and a product with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in the European Union, was central to the country’s presence.

Held from October 17 to 21 at Paris Nord Villepinte, the biennial exhibition was organized by Comexposium. According to Cyprus’s Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, this year’s event brought together 8,000 exhibitors from 130 countries and approximately 295,000 trade visitors.

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SIAL is a major global platform for food and beverage businesses to present products, assess market trends and build commercial relationships. Cyprus participated with two national pavilions covering a combined area of about 356 square meters.

Halloumi Takes Center Stage

Thirteen Cypriot companies exhibited in the national dairy pavilion in Hall 7, where the country gave halloumi a prominent showcase. Promotional materials highlighted the “Halloumi®” name and the European PDO designation, while a large section of the hall entrance was dedicated to the cheese.

An interactive touchscreen, titled “Discover Halloumi,” introduced visitors to the product’s characteristics and the Cypriot dairies behind it. The presentation connected the cheese’s international profile with its protected origin and local production base.

A Broader Showcase Of Cypriot Food

A second national pavilion in Hall 2 featured 15 more Cypriot businesses, presenting a diverse range of products from the country’s food industry. These included olive oil, olives, honey, bulgur, fruit juices, nuts, dried fruit, herbal infusions, coffee, frozen foods and vegan products.

Visitors could use an interactive display to learn about participating businesses and their products. A dedicated quiz offered another way to introduce attendees to Cyprus’s food production.

Building Export Reach

The ministry said Cyprus’s participation demonstrated both the strength of established products such as halloumi and the breadth of the country’s wider food sector. A coordinated presence at major trade fairs, it added, can help local companies raise their international profile and identify potential commercial partners.

For Cyprus, the strategy combines the promotion of a globally recognized specialty with exposure for a wider portfolio of domestic products. The ministry reaffirmed its support for efforts to market Cypriot goods abroad, with the aim of strengthening the presence of local businesses in international markets and creating further opportunities for export growth.