Atria at SIAL International Food Show 2024:
Finnish meat responds to global food trends
SIAL Paris gathered more than 285,000 food sector professionals worldwide to discuss the latest trends and innovations. Representing high-quality Finnish meat, Atria brought a prime example of sustainable food to the table, attracting the visitors' interest.
Established in 1964, SIAL Paris has become the world benchmark for food, retail and hospitality players. It is a global showcase that brings the key producers and buyers together, focusing on the world's significant challenges. This year, celebrating its 60th anniversary, the event brought together 7500 exhibitors from 127 countries. Atria's crew, consisting of sales and marketing people and a cook, enjoyed every moment of the event at the centrally located booth. They showcased Finnish meat products, such as sausages and frankfurters, gaining well-earned attention from the visitors.
"This year, I attended SIAL Paris for the first time, and the event was a positive surprise—exciting innovations, nice conversations, and a relaxed atmosphere in a great location. Also, many people visited our booth and gave positive feedback. We almost ran out of samples, and speaking about innovations, Finland won a SIAL Innovation Award for the first time with the zero-carb sushi bites," rejoices Maria Mustakallio, Marketing and Sales Coordinator at Atria.
Atria answers consumer demands with sustainable and antibiotic-free meat
The conclusion from the SIAL Paris was clear—Finland has the potential to position as a change leader in the international meat market due to emerging trends and consumer values. First, Finnish meat production emphasizes purity and high quality, and Finland's strict animal welfare regulations set the meat apart in today's markets where consumers value ethical production. Secondly, Finnish production is known for being antibiotic-free, which strongly resonates with health-conscious consumers worldwide. The cool Northern climate also reduces animal diseases, enhancing the safety and quality of the meat.
"Atria's success factors, combined with Finland's reputation for its clean nature, make our products an attractive option in international food markets where ethics, safety, and responsibility are key consumer values," emphasizes Mustakallio.
In addition, Atria stood out as a dependable and effective partner for wholesalers and meat suppliers thanks to its integrated food production chain.
"As a producer-owned company, Atria fosters close collaboration with the suppliers from the beginning of the production chain. Managing the entire process, we ensure quality and consistency at every stage," tells Mustakallio.
Atria is also a large and stable company with a leading position in Finland's market.
"While we may not yet be an international household name, our size and reliability make us a trusted partner. The visitors were also interested in hearing about the expansion of the poultry production at Nurmo. The EUR 165 million expansion, the largest investment in Atria's history, increases the poultry production capacity by around 40%," adds Mustakallio.
Furthermore, the ideas, discoveries and inspirations proposed by SIAL Paris 2024 will continue to resonate for a long time.
"Thank you to everyone who visited us! Let's continue shaping the future of food together. All in all, SIAL is worth a visit. I hope to see you there in 2026!" Mustakallio greets.