A process for the preparation of an olefin product, which process comprises the steps of: a) converting an oxygenate feedstock in an oxygenate-to-olefins conversion system, comprising a reaction zone in which an oxygenate feedstock is contacted with an oxygenate conversion catalyst under oxygenate conversion conditions, to obtain a conversion effluent comprising olefins and paraffins; b) separating at least a portion of the paraffins from the conversion effluent to form a paraffin stream; and c) recycling at least a portion of the paraffin stream to step a).