The Sial 2002 exhibition in Paris successfully brought together 5,240 exhibitors from 98 countries, and 135,285 visitors from 188 countries. With these statistics, Sial proved itself to be the global meeting place for all food industry professionals.

The show provided an international platform for dialogue between key market players, who exchanged views on issues including export challenges, quality standards, the Common Agricultural Policy, relations between manufacturers and retailers, as well as consumer expectations.

The talks and symposia attracted record levels of participation and a large number of official visits took place throughout the five-day event held in Paris in October.

A notable feature of the event was the participation of regional producers not only from France, but elsewhere in Europe and the rest of the world. These companies were able to capitalise on visitors' growing interest in products that are authentic, regional and traditional. These included increasingly sophisticated products for fruit and vegetable dealers, including quality labels, fresh prepared vegetables and new grades.

The analysis of visitor surveys found that 76 per cent came to discover new trends; 65 per cent were looking for new products; 53 per cent were looking for new suppliers; and 85 per cent discovered companies they had not heard of before.