Agricultural Show 2024: a showcase of choice for the Roquefort sector

Jean-Pierre et Emmanuel Laur de la maison Coulet entourent le maître-fromager Roland Barthélémy. DR

La 60e édition du Salon international de l’agriculture s’ouvre ce samedi 24 février. 

The 60th edition of the International Agricultural Show opens this Saturday, February 24, for nine days of events, in Paris, Porte de Versailles. High mass of the territories and those who sublimate them, the Parisian meeting takes on each of its editions a particular flavor for the hundreds of exhibitors who work for 10 days to highlight the products. 

Among these, some South Aveyron residents and the Roquefort sector which will once again be particularly well represented this year. "Several houses will in fact be present in their own name at the show, notably Carles, Coulet, Société , valid Sébastien Vignette, general secretary of the Confédération général du Roquefort. All will also be represented at the cheese and dairy products fair which will be held in parallel from February 25 to 27." 

A first for Gabriel Coulet

Frequented in 2023 by no less than 615,200 visitors, with "traffic jams", on weekends, the meeting is a must-see at the "Aveyron farm" confirms Jean-Pierre Laur for the Gabriel Coulet family house. A regular at the general competition in which she regularly shines, she will occupy a stand for the first time in her history on the Pavilion 7.1, attended mainly by individuals. ;  

"One more stone in the family building, validates the general director whose&nbsp ;expectations are "obviously very high". Commercially first, but also and perhaps especially in terms of notoriety. Know and make known. 

"Beyond the purely commercial aspect, we are taking advantage of the most important exhibition in France to further establish our reputation, abounds the DG who with his smiling Aveyron hostesses is preparing to taste a wide range of the Gabriel Coulet range to seduce Parisians who are now informed:  "Let's go all out." 

A love story

Better experienced in the agricultural rite of the capital, Delphine Carles, director of the eponymous Roquefort brand, has been a faithful follower of the event since < em>"8 or 9 years". "This allows us to raise awareness of Roquefort, the craftsmanship, the tradition… There are also many Aveyronnais in Paris. They would miss us if we weren't there", laughs Delphine Carles who doesn't hesitate to talk about a "love story" which must be "cultivated& quot; everyday. 

Like Gabriel Coulet, Maison Carles also focuses a lot on the tasting aspect. "We are also aimed at those, undoubtedly less informed, who are not used to shopping in the traditional network, preferring mass distribution and who do not yet know Roquefort Carles".

A "necessity"for the Petit Poucet of the appellation which represents only 1.54%, of the total volume of the third AOP of France which in 2022 produced more than 15,000 tonnes of the "king of cheeses& ;quot;, 26% of the annual tonnage being dedicated to export. 

However, it has been declining for several years, confirms the General Confederation, due in particular to inflation. Also due to increasingly fierce competition on the European and global markets. "Gorgonzola or Stilton, which is the pride of England, are arriving on the French blue cheese market. The amalgamation is therefore quickly done. It must therefore be remembered that Roquefort is produced with sheep's milk, the virtues of which dieticians and nutritionists now recognize. More than ever, you need to explain, make yourself known and get out of your countryside where no one will come looking for your cheese." The poet Pierre Reverdy l&#39 ;understood well: "There is no love, there are only proofs of love. "

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