ALMOST €13 million in new sales contracts have been signed as part of a three-day Enterprise Ireland trade mission to France.

Three Irish companies working in agri-technology signed new business contracts with existing and new customers in France yesterday.

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.

Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton, who is leading the trade mission, said the contract wins by three indigenous Irish companies showed “what is possible for innovative exporting companies operating in growth sectors”.

The deals demonstrated “Ireland’s international reputation as a source of high-quality products” in agri-technology, he 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 are taking part in the trade mission.