Latin America and the Caribbean: Quinoa Market 2025

Quinoa Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the Latin American quinoa market, when its value decreased by -24.3% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Quinoa Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, quinoa production reduced rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 102% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Peru (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of quinoa production, comprising approx. 71% of total volume. Moreover, quinoa production in Peru exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Bolivia (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Peru totaled +10.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Bolivia (-3.0% per year) and Ecuador (+7.5% per year).

The average quinoa yield rose notably to X tons per ha in 2021, growing by 11% against the year before. The yield indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, quinoa yield increased by +29.3% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the yield increased by 66%. The level of yield peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the total area harvested in terms of quinoa production in Latin America and the Caribbean shrank remarkably to X ha, with a decrease of -22.8% compared with the year before. In general, the harvested area showed a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 13%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Quinoa Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, quinoa exports in Latin America and the Caribbean contracted to X tons, which is down by -10.1% against 2020 figures. Total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +9.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, quinoa exports reduced markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 112% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Peru was the largest exporter of quinoa in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near 63% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Bolivia (X tons), generating a 35% share of total exports. Ecuador (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Ecuador (with a CAGR of +37.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest quinoa supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Peru ($X), Bolivia ($X) and Ecuador ($X), together comprising 100% of total exports.

Ecuador, with a CAGR of +30.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, declining by -14.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the export price increased by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ecuador ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bolivia (-3.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Quinoa Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, overseas purchases of quinoa decreased by -4.7% to X tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a five-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, saw significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 75%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

In value terms, quinoa imports dropped markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 142%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of quinoa imports in 2021 were Chile (X tons), Mexico (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Argentina (X tons), together resulting at 85% of total import. The following importers - Costa Rica (X tons), Uruguay (X tons) and Panama (X tons) - together made up 7% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Panama (with a CAGR of +156.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest quinoa importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Chile ($X), Mexico ($X) and Brazil ($X), with a combined 65% share of total imports. Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama and Uruguay lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

Among the main importing countries, Panama, with a CAGR of +160.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -12.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 38%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Panama ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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