Absolutely Caribbean – which is showcasing brands from the island region through the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) – has done things differently this year at SIAL Paris.

Having come to the show for three years previously, for the first time Barbados-based Caribbean Export has partnered with four trade promotion agencies from across the islands. This has enabled more brands to attend from more markets using the Absolutely Caribbean umbrella – which is also used to promote the region’s fashion and other categories around the world.

Natasha Edwin-Walcott, Caribbean Export’s Manager (Ag) Competitiveness and Export Promotion, said: “This show offers us the most visibility in Europe. This time around we are hosting 26 brands, (mostly) represented through the four trade promotion agencies from the Caribbean.”

The promo agencies taking part come from Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Saint Lucia, and Barbados. “Each of them has multiple brands plus we have individual companies from Jamaica, Trinidad, and Haiti. Although there were 14 exhibitors in 2022 versus nine this year, the total number of brands has almost doubled.”

“Partnering with the trade promotion agencies allows some companies without the necessary resources to attend an event like this. Some of them are small businesses that are new to the market,” said Ms Edwin-Walcott. Among the brands exhibiting are Handmade by Jeanette producing organic, eco-friendly food products using 75% locally sourced ingredients, and small batch coffee and chocolate producer Noble Tree Speciality Coffee and Cocoa.

Hall 4 / Stand K083