Quinoa: optimistic prospects for the new crop
April 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM ,
Der AUDITOR
Favourable weather conditions
In their latest report, the experts from Chelmer Foods shed light on the current situation on the quinoa market in Peru and Bolivia. Favourable weather conditions in Peru have led to farmers expanding their acreage – white quinoa in particular is being increasingly cultivated this year and is displacing red quinoa and amaranth. There was some heavy rainfall in March, but market players do not currently expect this to have a significant impact on yields. However, this could lead to harvest delays. Harvesting has already begun in some growing regions such as Ayacucho and Andahuaylas, while in Puno, Peru's most important growing region, it is expected to start between the end of April and the beginning of May.
Demand for Peruvian quinoa remains robust, which is supporting prices; experts do not expect prices to fall significantly in the near future, even though the new crop will obviously increase availability. On the contrary, they expect an upward trend in the longer term.
Price increases are likely
According to Chelmer Foods, the prospects for the Bolivian crop are also positive. The plants are developing well, so the harvest is expected to start at the end of the month. It currently looks as though yields could be higher than last year, especially for the popular white quinoa, which dominates production. However, more red quinoa is also expected to be harvested than in 2024, thanks to competitive prices. Although market analysts had expected prices to fall, this was prevented by strong buying interest on the domestic market and good export demand. Chelmer Foods also believes that the arrival of the new crop will not lead to price declines either – as in Peru, it is more likely that prices will rise in the longer term.
Fierce battle for first place
Quinoa is also becoming increasingly popular with European consumers. EU imports increased by a whopping 40.7% in the period 01/07/2024-13/04/2025 compared to the previous year. Peru and Bolivia are in a neck-and-neck race for the most important suppliers; Peru increased its exports to the EU by 35.7% year-on-year to 8,769 mt, while Bolivia recorded 29% higher exports to EU countries and supplied a total of 8,298 mt. India came a distant third with 919 mt, but a remarkable increase of almost 784%. Here, prices for quinoa, Sortex, clean were last at USD 654/mt FOB India.
The most important EU buyer of quinoa during this period was Germany, which increased its imports by a good 15% to 4,150 mt. It was followed by the Netherlands, Spain and Italy. The significantly higher import value, which rose from just under EUR 30.48 million in the previous year to EUR 47.79 million, is remarkable. The average import price was EUR 2.56/kg, a good 11% higher than last year's EUR 2.30/kg.
|
EU quinoa imports, in mt |
|||
|
Partner |
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
Diff. |
|
Peru |
6,460 |
8,769 |
35.7% |
|
Bolivia |
6,433 |
8,298 |
29.0% |
|
India |
104 |
919 |
783.7% |
|
Others |
258 |
670 |
159.7% |
|
Total |
13,255 |
18,656 |
40.7% |
|
DG AGRI TAXUD Customs Surveillance System, 01/07-13/04 10085000 Quinoa, “Chenopodium, quinoa” |
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