Irish firms have secured a number of export contracts and deals valued at €17.6 million during a trade mission to France.

Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, who arrived back from the three day Enterprise Ireland mission today, said the deals were across a range of business sectors such as agri-technology and cleantech.

“This confirms the importance of these sectors as a key growth opportunity for Irish companies in the French market,” he said.

The trade mission was part of a programme events arranged overseas by Enterprise Ireland to help firms expand their export options.

Mr Bruton said two-way between Ireland and France was running at record levels and that there were opportunities for further substantial growth over the coming years.

Co Meath based Dromone, which designs and manufactures coupling technology for the agriculture and construction sectors, secured a €9.7 million contract with Beauvais-based AGCO Group, France’s largest exporter of agricultural products.

Limerick-based agricultural manufacturing company Samco signed its first contract with a French co-op, securing a €220,000 deal with Cavac. Cavac will be the sole distributor of Samco machines and degradable plastic film in the Vendée region in west France.

Kerry-based Dairymaster, a leading manufacturer of dairy farm equipment, signed a contract with animal genetics company Genes Diffusion that is expected to deliver initial sales of €3 million.

The deals demonstrated “Ireland’s international reputation as a source of high-quality products” in agri-technology, Mr Bruton added.

Irish exports to France increased by 14 per cent last year to €9.6 billion. The world’s fifth-largest economy is Ireland’s fifth-largest market for merchandise and fourth-largest market for services. Major exports to France include pharmaceuticals, food and computer software.

More than 35 companies took part in the trade mission.