Twin Falls – October 19, 2026 -- A Southern Idaho delegation is at SIAL Paris 2026 seeking European investment and export deals for a region where agribusiness generates 48% of economic output and more than 42% of jobs are directly or indirectly tied to the industry.
The Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization (SIEDO) organized the mission. It aims to attract European capital, widen export channels for Idaho food producers and build partnerships in food manufacturing and agricultural technology. SIAL Paris runs October 17–21 and is expected to draw about 8,000 exhibitors and 295,000 industry professionals.
Region processes 80% of Idaho's milk and supplies 70% of U.S. food-size trout
Southern Idaho's Magic Valley, in south-central Idaho, processes roughly 80% of the state's milk and produces about 70% of the food-size trout sold in the United States. The region hosts Chobani's Twin Falls facility, described as the world's largest yogurt processing plant, and major cheese production facilities run by Glanbia Nutritionals. Riverence operates the world's largest commercial freshwater rainbow trout farm there.
Other food companies in the region include Agri Beef, McCain Foods and Lamb Weston. Local farmland produces potatoes, sugar beets, barley, beans and specialty seeds for major food processors and international markets.
Embassy dinner on October 20 targets European investors and partners
The delegation will host a dinner on Tuesday, October 20, at the residence of the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Paris. Themed "All Things Food. One Shared Table," it will bring together European business leaders, potential investors and international partners.
The menu will feature Idaho products. These include white sturgeon caviar from Idaho Springs Foods, Riverence rainbow trout, Snake River Farms filet mignon from Agri Beef, cheeses from Glanbia and Ballard Cheese, and a Chobani huckleberry parfait. Wines from Idaho's Snake River Valley will accompany the meal.
SIEDO's director pitches two-way market access
SIEDO Executive Director Jason Barnes said the visit is about "creating opportunities in both directions." He framed the goal as helping Idaho producers reach new international markets while introducing European companies to the case for investing in Southern Idaho.
State Senator Kelly Anthon, who is traveling with the delegation, pointed to the region's network of growers, producers, researchers and business partners as its competitive base.
University of Idaho's planned agriculture center adds a research layer
The region's food industry is also backed by agricultural research and technology investment. That includes the University of Idaho's developing Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (CAFE).