SIAL 2006: Bigger than ever- Key Figures

140,423 visitors from 191 countries, plus 4,000 additional visitors, with the number of international attendees up 11%. 5,302 exhibitors, 77% international (up 5%) from 99 countries.

Large government and media presence with visits from 30 ministers, 43 ambassadors and 1,400 journalists, a Franco-Italian official opening, 1400 media items including more than 900 articles, 101 TV and 180 radio reports.
88% of exhibitors were satisfied with their participation in SIAL 2006, with an average of 154 contacts per exhibitor, of which 55% were new contacts.
91% of visitors were satisfied or very satisfied with their visit.
140 000 visitOrs from 191 countries

Visitor numbers up 3%, representing more than 4,000 additional people, bringing the total number of visitors welcomed over the 5 days of the show to 140,423. Better still, the proportion of international visitors rose by 11%.
RETAILERS PRESENT IN FORCE, CATERING STRONGER THAN EVER
The retail sector is still in first place, accounting for 44% of SIAL's visitors. Among the leading retail brands present at the show - to name just a few - were Auchan, Ahold (Ica), Carrefour, Costco, Coop Italia, Leader Price, Lidl, Metro, Provera, Rewe, Tesco, Testi, and Wal-Mart.

CIES, the Food Business Forum - a dedicated networking facility for international retail leaders - welcomed 300 people from retail markets across the globe.

In addition, 14,000 visitors registered their interest in own-brand products. 1,288 exhibitors (i.e. 24% of the total) were presenting an own-brand offer - 48% of this group being European exhibitors, and 29% French.

A striking feature of the 2006 session was the increase in visitors from the catering sector - up by 25%, and accounting as a result for 17% of the exhibition total.

As regards areas of interest, the three leading sectors remains unchanged: meat products, dairy products and fruit and vegetables are still the most visited areas.

These visitors were welcomed by 5,302 exhibitors, 77% of them international (an increase of 5%) from 99 countries. While Italy, Spain and Belgium retained the top three places in terms of exhibitor numbers (after France), the 2006 session saw China move up from tenth place to fifth. Greece, Portugal, Mexico and the USA also saw a rise in their exhibitor numbers. And several countries were represented by exhibitors at SIAL for the first time at this session, including Cameroon, the Comoros, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea and Sudan.

FRENCH MANUFACTURERS FLOCK TO THE SHOW
Many of the leading names from the French food sector were back once again - including Bonduelle, Bonne Maman, Madrange, Pomona and Brossard - while others were making their debut at the show, including Triballat, Roquette, Quick, Boisset, Sodiaal and Solinest. All 22 French regions were represented across all the product sectors, reflecting the depth and diversity of the French food offer.