Freek Jan Koekoek Operators in the chia market last week came back from SIAL with an interesting take away: chia seeds are increasingly scarce. Especially certified organic chia seeds are not easy to obtain, as some produce is contaminated with residues such as fosetyl and paraquat. According to buyers and sellers, organic chia seeds are now offered at … Read more
Few Peruvian quinoa exporters at Biofach Only three Peruvian quinoa exporters had booked a booth a the Biofach trade fair last month. This is a stark difference with the dominant presence of Peruvian quinoa in previous years, as the country is one of the two main suppliers of quinoa to global markets – the other … Read more
The search for added value Exporters from Asia, Latin-America and Africa have often asked my help in introducing their finished, retail-packed food product to the European market. They argue that manufacturers of the finished product earn a much higher margin than suppliers of raw materials. As a facilitator of trade into Europe, I would like … Read more
My client CBI just published this study on COVID-19 in grains, pulses and oilseeds, which I wrote. The short report contains 12 steps for companies to follow in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It distinguishes between the immediate response and adapting to ‘the new normal’. I hope it comes in time and proves useful. Let … Read more
Chia seeds are a healthy ingredient used in desserts, smoothies, breakfast cereals, bread, snacks and many other products. The European Union approved chia seed as Novel Food in 2009, allowing the chia to be marketed in its territory. In only 10 years’ time, the market has experienced fast development. The major producing countries of chia … Read more
European quinoa imports grew 3% in the year ending October 2018, reaching 25677 tons (Figure 1). In the previous year, imports only grew 1%. Peru and Bolivia still dominate European Union quinoa imports, while Ecuador and, recently, Turkey also hold small market shares. These statistics don’t include Europe’s domestic production of several thousand tons. Figure … Read more
Quinoa of organic farm “de Lingehof” in the east of the Netherlands is ready for harvesting. At the 150 ha. arable farm, 3 ha. has been dedicated to quinoa, which farmer Petra Derkzen still considers an experimental crop. “At this second experience of growing quinoa on our farm, we are hoping for a yield of … Read more
As of 1 January 2018, the new Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods (the new Regulation) is applicable. It repeals and replaces Regulation (EC) No 258/97 and Regulation (EC) No 1852/2001 which were in force until 31 December 2017. According to the new rules, all products previously approved are now included in a ‘Union List’ … Read more
Despite the severe drought from August to December last year, the quinoa crop appears to be much larger than anticipated. Recent statements from the Centro Internacional de la Quinoa (CIQ) suggest that production may be 82,500 tons. The remarkable recovery of the quinoa crop is attributed to late rains falling from December onwards in many areas. … Read more
By Jenneke van Vliet* and Freek Jan Koekoek In the first decade of the 21st century the millennial Andean food crop quinoa became known to the world as ‘superfood’: a gluten-free pseudo-cereal that contains all the essential amino-acids for human beings and a high content of proteins and minerals. As a consequence, we witnessed an … Read more