Grains

Quinoa: smaller crop in Peru

May 25, 2023 at 9:40 AM , Der AUDITOR
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LIMA/SUCRE. Harvest delays and yield declines in Peru are leaving their mark on the quinoa market. The EU imported around 15% less quinoa in 2022.

Organic goods are in short supply

According to the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture, the country expects a 25-30% decline in quinoa production this year. Reasons for this deficit include late sowing, water scarcity and low use of fertilisers. The later sowing also means that the harvest starts later, usually quinoa is harvested in Peru in April/May, this year it will be late May/early June, according to experts at Chelmer Foods. Meanwhile, market players are concerned about the availability of organic quinoa, saying the natural soil conditions pose a problem for organic cultivation.

Due to the harvest decline, prices for Peruvian quinoa increased and the supply situation could only improve again with the crop in April/May 2024. However, the actual supply situation also depends on the development of demand. Black quinoa from Peru can be obtained for USD 2.10/kg FOB Callao and prices for white organic quinoa from Peru are USD 2.80/kg FOB. Export prices for white quinoa from India are currently at a level of USD 1.30/kg CFR Hamburg.

Besides Peru, Bolivia is also one of the most important quinoa producers. As Chelmer Foods reports, growers and traders there have adapted to the changed supply situation in Peru and have also increased their prices. As a result, prices in the international market have firmed overall, although the situation in Bolivia is generally better than in Peru. Further price increases are to be expected in the coming months, Chelmer Foods experts added.

Quinoa

Type

USD/kg

White, India, CFR Hamburg

1.30

Black, Peru, FOB Callao

2.10

Organic, white, Peru, FOB Callao

2.80

Trade sources

EU reduces quinoa imports

The EU imported around 19,629 mt of quinoa worth EUR 38.83 million from third countries in 2022. This represents a year-on-year decrease of almost 15% in volume, and the import value also fell by a good 8%. The average import price increased from EUR 1.84/kg to EUR 1.98/kg compared to the previous year. Peru remains the most important supplier to the EU with 12,849 mt, accounting for almost two-thirds of shipments - although this still represents a deficit of -6% compared to the previous year. Bolivia also contributes just under a third, but EU imports here also fell by 26% to 6,327 mt. Smaller volumes were also imported from countries such as Ecuador (-39% to 128 mt), India (-63% to 105 mt) and the UK (-69% to 81 mt).

Quinoa* imports, EU, in mt

Supplier

2021

2022

Diff.

Peru

13,673

12,849

-6.0%

Bolivia

8,552

6,327

-26.0%

Ecuador

208

128

-38.5%

India

280

105

-62.5%

UK

48

81

68.8%

USA

24

60

150.0%

Turkey

37

23

-37.8%

Canada

25

23

-8.0%

Zambia

105

19

-81.9%

China

2

5

150.0%

Others

47

9

-80.9%

Total

23,001

19,629

-14.7%

European Commission / Eurostat (Comext)

*10085000 Quinoa “Chenopodium quinoa”

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