Quinoa: cautious optimism
January 27, 2026 at 8:50 AM ,
Der AUDITOR
Stable market despite variety-specific shortages
According to the experts at Chelmer Foods, the Peruvian quinoa market started 2026 on a stable footing, supported by constant international demand and firm prices. White quinoa remains available, while red and black varieties remain scarce and are mainly reserved for tricolour blends. Accordingly, offers for full containers of red or black quinoa are rare. Price stability is mainly driven by currency effects, with the continued weakness of the US dollar against the Peruvian sol offsetting rising production, labour and logistics costs at source.
According to reports from the national weather service, there has been insufficient rainfall since October, which could affect yields. This is particularly true for growing regions such as Ayacucho, where there is no artificial irrigation. According to market players, however, the region should remain a reliable source. Strict requirements for phosphonic acid and fosetyl residues continue to limit potential shipments of organic quinoa to the EU.
Bolivia returns to normality
In Bolivia, the abolition of fuel subsidies at the end of 2025 had significantly increased transport and production costs. These adjustments affected the entire supply chain – from higher commodity prices to price adjustments for export shipments. In addition, nationwide road blockades at the beginning of the year hampered domestic logistics. The transport of raw materials and goods prepared for sale was temporarily restricted, causing short-term bottlenecks and limiting planning security in the export business. The situation is now slowly easing again and pricing is becoming more transparent.
Nevertheless, the supply of certain varieties remains limited. Red and black quinoa in particular are still in short supply; as in Peru, most traders do not currently offer these qualities separately. Market players are cautiously optimistic about the new crop. The plants are developing well and so far there have been no major adverse weather events. If this continues, availability should improve again in the coming months.
EU increases imports from Bolivia by 19%
EU countries have significantly increased their quinoa imports compared to the same period last year. Between 1 July 2025 and 18 January 2026, the import volume increased by 17.9% to 15,520 mt compared to the same period last year. According to data from the European Commission, the average import price of EUR 2.41/kg is around 4% lower than in the previous year.
Shipments from Bolivia increased significantly this season, rising by 19.1% to 6,731 mt. Peru remains the second most important supplier with 6,199 mt, but year-on-year imports from there to the EU fell by 2.6%. Despite a remarkable 192% increase in imports from India, the country ranks third with 1,918 mt, far behind the main suppliers. Indian quinoa, standard size, sortex cleaned, is currently offered at prices of USD 822/mt FOB Mundra.
Spain was the most important buyer of quinoa within the EU, increasing its imports by 109.4% to 3,330 mt compared to the same period last year. It is followed by the Netherlands (+39.9% to 3,260 mt), Germany (-7.9% to 2,810 mt) and Italy (+45.4% to 2,530 mt).
|
EU quinoa imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
Diff. |
|
Bolivia |
5,651 |
6,731 |
19.1% |
|
Peru |
6,365 |
6,199 |
-2.6% |
|
India |
657 |
1,918 |
191.9% |
|
USA |
0 |
311 |
n/a |
|
New Zealand |
21 |
240 |
1,042.9% |
|
Others |
470 |
121 |
-74.3% |
|
Total |
13,164 |
15,520 |
17.9% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/07-18/01 10085000 Quinoa “Chenopodium quinoa” |
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