Bolivian chia sector unfolds initiative for clean chia

By Freek Jan Koekoek At a well-attended meeting parallel to SIAL Paris in October, the Bolivian chia sector presented its vision to develop ‘clean chia.’ It also provided a production forecast. Bolivia has become one of the leading producers, along with Argentina and Paraguay, of this superfood rich in omega 3, which is experiencing a … Read more

The Economist on the effects of the quinoa boom

Few stories have dominated the public perception about a food item more persistently than the 2013 article in the Guardian titled: ‘Can Vegans Stomach the Unpalatable Truth about Quinoa.’ The Economist now takes on the claim that increasing demand by western ‘food fadsters’ is driving the population in Peru and Bolivia into poverty and undernourishment. … Read more

The expansion of quinoa production

The article “The Global Expansion of Quinoa: Trends and Limits” published in Frontiers in Crop Science sketches the expansion of quinoa production, with a focus on the distribution of germ plasm. Based on a mini survey among experts, the authors Didier Bazile, Sven-Erik Jacobson and Alexis Verniau present interesting data on testing and breeding of … Read more

Come meet us at Biofach 2016

Mercadero will be present at Biofach 2016 supporting international companies, thus upholding the tradition of participating in this largest trade fair of the organic industry. Freek Jan will be coaching his clients from Indonesia and the Philippines in the CBI Pavillion in Hall 4 (Stand 4-471). Inge will be promoting chia seeds, quinoa, sesame seeds and … Read more

Opportunities for floating rice from Vietnam

Our study on European market opportunities for traditional floating rice from Vietnam was published some time ago by commissioner CBI. Floating rice is adapted to changing water tables and can therefore be part of adaptation strategies for climate change. Whereas export opportunities are limited, the product has a traditional market domestically.

CBI factsheet on amaranth seed in Europe published

The CBI factsheet describes the European market for amaranth seeds, the little sister of quinoa in the family of healthy pseudo grains. Amaranth imports are estimated at  5775 tons in 2014, up from about 4500 tons in 2013. This is quite a substantial volume compared to about 15000 tons of  quinoa imports in 2014. Production of amaranth, which … Read more

New CBI factsheet quinoa in Europe published

The CBI factsheet published in December 2015 gives a bird’s eye view of the European quinoa market and opportunities for exporters. Based on trade data until May 2015, the study suggests that import growth is flattening out and consumption and imports are spreading from early adopters to other European countries. The claim that consumption may … Read more