Price Development
Since the beginning of keeping record of the Challapata price, the price for white quinoa
is higher (almost double for white in comparison to red) than the price for white or red
coloured quinoa. Contrary to the usual observation that red and black quinoa are more
exclusive and therefore more expensive, the strong (international) demand for white
quinoa caused this opposing price increase. The same reason explains why the price of
the coloured varieties seems to be more stable than the one of the white varieties.
The price peak of all quinoas (although much more observable in white quinoa) has been
reached between the end of January and the beginning of February, when farmers were
paid between $6.50 and $6.60 for a kilogram of quinoa. The publicity during the FAO’s
International Year of the Quinoa and the increasing interest for super foods by the
Western society have contributed to the increasing demand (and price) on the local
quinoa market.
Shortly before the beginning of the new season (in February and March), prices
stabilized: black quinoa remained at $3.20, red quinoa between $3.30 – $3.50 and white
quinoa between $4.20 – $4.80. With the beginning of the new season in April 2014, we observe that prices tend to slowly increase again since the beginning of May. May the 10th, prices have increased to 1,750 Bolivianos/quintal which is equivalent to $5.63/kg.
