FAO: Global Quinoa Production by Country
🌾 Quinoa has evolved from a traditional "ancestral grain" of the Andean highlands into a critical global commodity.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), while the crop is now cultivated in over 120 countries, the global supply remains highly concentrated. The "Big Three" Andean nations continue to provide the vast majority of the world's supply, even as mechanized farming expands in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Global Production and Export Leaders
Recent data from FAOSTAT and market reports for 2024–2025 highlight a clear hierarchy in production. Peru and Bolivia alone account for approximately 98% of the world's total output.
The following table details the top 10 countries by production volume and their estimated export values for the current period.
| Rank | Country | Production (Approx. Tonnes) | Export Value (USD) | Primary Production Role |
| 1 | Peru | 114,000 | $98.1 Million | Global leader in yield and volume |
| 2 | Bolivia | 44,000 | $57.1 Million | Leader in organic and "Royal" quinoa |
| 3 | USA | 5,500 | $10.3 Million | Largest non-Andean producer |
| 4 | Ecuador | 1,200 | $0.8 Million | High-altitude traditional farming |
| 5 | Spain | 1,150 | $5.6 Million | Leading European producer |
| 6 | Canada | 1,100 | $5.0 Million | High-tech mechanized cultivation |
| 7 | France | 1,000 | $3.4 Million | Pioneer in EU climate-adapted seeds |
| 8 | India | 950 | $2.3 Million | Fastest-growing Asian producer |
| 9 | Italy | 600 | $5.0 Million | Focus on premium/research crops |
| 10 | Morocco | 300 | $0.4 Million | Rising producer in arid zones |
Regional Characteristics
Peru: The Production Powerhouse
Peru is the dominant force in the global market, producing more than double the volume of its closest competitor, Bolivia. Production is centered in regions like Puno and Ayacucho. Peru’s success is attributed to its "staggered" harvest cycles across different agro-climatic zones, allowing for a year-round supply to international markets.
Bolivia: The Specialist in "Royal Quinoa"
Bolivia focuses on Quinoa Real, a large-grain variety grown exclusively in the southern salt flats. While its total volume is lower than Peru's, Bolivia leads in organic certifications and fair-trade initiatives. Bolivian production is primarily managed by smallholder associations that prioritize traditional, sustainable methods.
The Rise of New Competitors
Since 2013, non-Andean countries have established significant commercial sectors:
North America: The United States (Colorado) and Canada (Saskatchewan) have successfully adapted quinoa to prairie and desert environments using large-scale mechanization.
Europe: Spain and France have developed "sweet" varieties with lower saponin levels, reducing the need for intensive post-harvest washing and processing.
Asia: India has seen a massive 1,000% increase in export activity recently, positioning itself as a major future supplier for the Asian market.
Market Value and Future Trends
The global quinoa market is projected to reach a value of $1.18 Billion by the end of 2025.
Climate Adaptation: The FAO identifies quinoa as a key crop for the future due to its ability to grow in saline, poor-quality soil with minimal water. This is driving new production trials in Africa and the Middle East.
Value-Added Products: Countries like the Netherlands and Germany, while smaller in field production, are major "re-exporters." They import raw grain and process it into high-value items like quinoa flour, flakes, and plant-based protein concentrates.
Biodiversity Protection: Despite the rise of global production, the FAO emphasizes the need to protect the 3,000+ local varieties found in the Andes to ensure the crop's long-term resilience against climate change.
Global Quinoa Production: Fastest Growing Producers
While the Andean region remains the historical and volume leader for quinoa, a new wave of producers is emerging. Driven by the crop's extreme climate resilience and a massive surge in global health-consciousness, several non-traditional countries have seen explosive growth in both production volume and export value over the last few years.
Fastest Growing Quinoa Countries (2023–2025)
The following table identifies the countries with the highest growth momentum. Growth is measured by the increase in export value and domestic production expansion as they challenge the traditional dominance of Peru and Bolivia.
| Rank | Country | 1-Year Export Growth | 3-Year Growth (Cumulative) | Growth Driver |
| 1 | India | +43.08% | +132.00% | Massive expansion in semi-arid states; high tropical yields. |
| 2 | Bolivia | +22.80% | -38.26% (Recovery) | Rebounding from 2021 lows with premium Organic/Royal pricing. |
| 3 | Peru | +10.26% | -21.32% (Recovery) | Modernization of coastal farms and rising global prices. |
| 4 | Germany | +9.53% | -20.62% | Increasing local organic farming and industrial processing. |
| 5 | Italy | +4.55% | +14.63% | Research-led expansion in Mediterranean climate zones. |
| 6 | China | ~6.3% (CAGR) | Significant | Largest consumption growth; rapidly expanding domestic acreage. |
| 7 | Spain | +2.20% | -39.20% | Stabilization of supply chains for the European market. |
| 8 | USA | -1.36% | -25.19% | Stable growth in Colorado; focus shifting to domestic consumption. |
| 9 | Morocco | Emerging | High % increase | FAO-backed climate-resilient programs in desert regions. |
| 10 | Bhutan | Emerging | N/A | Strong government policy for national nutrition and school feeds. |
Note: Negative 3-year figures for major producers like Peru and Bolivia reflect a "price correction" after the mid-2010s boom, while recent 1-year data shows a strong upward recovery trend.
Analysis of Growth Trends
India: The New Giant
India is currently the fastest-growing producer outside of South America. By adapting quinoa to its tropical and semi-arid climates, India has achieved a staggering 132% increase in export value over three years. The country has positioned itself as a primary supplier for the Asian and Middle Eastern markets, offering more competitive pricing than traditional Andean sources.
The Andean Recovery
After several years of declining prices, Peru and Bolivia are experiencing a value-based resurgence.
Peru has seen a 10% year-on-year growth in export value, largely due to an increase in the average price per tonne as global demand outpaces supply.
Bolivia is successfully leveraging its "Royal Quinoa" status to capture the high-end organic market, resulting in a 22.8% surge in value over the last year.
China and the Asia-Pacific Shift
While not yet a top global exporter, China is the world's fastest-growing consumer of quinoa, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of over 60%. This massive internal demand is fueling a rapid expansion of domestic quinoa fields in northern China, aiming to reduce dependency on South American imports.
Climate-Smart Expansion in Africa
Countries like Morocco and Kenya are the latest frontiers. With support from the FAO and international research centers, these nations are using quinoa to combat drought. Their growth is measured less in current volume and more in the speed of "land conversion," as they adopt quinoa as a primary tool for food security.
Future Growth Indicators
The global quinoa market is expected to reach a value of $1.18 Billion by the end of 2025, with a projected annual growth rate of 11% through 2032. The "speed" of a country's growth is now defined by its ability to produce saponin-free (sweet) varieties and certified organic grains, which are currently the highest-demand segments in North America and Europe.
Global Quinoa Processing and Value-Added Production
In the quinoa industry, "refinery" refers to the industrial processing plants that transform raw, bitter grains into edible, market-ready products. This process involves the critical removal of saponin (a bitter natural coating), followed by polishing, sorting, and often further processing into flour, flakes, or snacks.
While South America dominates raw production, processing hubs have emerged in Europe and North America to meet the strict organic and quality standards of Western consumers.
Quinoa Processing and "Refinery" Capacity by Country
The following table highlights the primary countries involved in the processing and value-added "refining" of quinoa as of 2024–2025.
| Rank | Country | Primary Processing Role | Key "Refined" Products | Market Specialty |
| 1 | Peru | Industrial Scale Saponin Removal | Polished grain, flour, precooked | High-volume industrial exports |
| 2 | Bolivia | Organic & Dry-Processing | Royal Quinoa, flakes, snacks | Certified Organic/Fair Trade |
| 3 | Netherlands | Major EU Processing Hub | Extruded snacks, cereal mixes | Technical re-export leader |
| 4 | USA | High-Tech Milling | Saponin-free "sweet" varieties | Mechanized large-scale processing |
| 5 | Germany | Organic Value-Added | Puffed quinoa, vegan protein | Premium organic health foods |
| 6 | France | Regional EU Processing | Flour, ready-to-eat pouches | Local European varieties |
| 7 | Canada | Industrial Flaking & Milling | Rolled flakes, bulk flour | Mechanized prairie processing |
| 8 | India | Rapidly Expanding Facilities | Polished grain, powder | Low-cost tropical processing |
| 9 | Spain | Mediterranean Hub | Salad-ready processed grain | Climate-adapted "sweet" types |
| 10 | China | Internal Consumption Refining | Instant quinoa, nutrition bars | Domestic "Self-Sufficiency" focus |
Core "Refinery" Technologies
Unlike oil refineries, a quinoa processing plant focuses on two main methods to prepare the grain:
Wet Processing: Traditionally used in the Andes, this involves intensive washing with water to dissolve saponins. While effective, it requires significant water treatment to manage the "saponin-rich" wastewater.
Dry Processing (Scarification): Modern "refineries" in the USA, Netherlands, and Bolivia now use mechanical abrasion to "sand off" the saponin layer. This is more eco-friendly and preserves the grain's shelf life.
Optical Sorting: High-end facilities use laser and infrared sorters to remove discolored grains and tiny stones, ensuring the "99.9% purity" required for international retail.
The Global Value Shift
Historically, Andean nations exported raw, unprocessed grain. However, the current trend is a move toward Value-Added Processing at the source:
Bolivia has invested in national processing plants to ensure that "Royal Quinoa" is exported as a finished, branded product rather than raw bulk.
The Netherlands and Germany act as the "Refiners of Europe," importing raw Andean quinoa and using high-tech extrusion and puffing machines to create high-margin snacks and dairy alternatives.
India is repurposing its massive rice milling infrastructure; by modifying the sieves in traditional rice mills, they are rapidly creating a decentralized quinoa "refinery" network.
Conclusion: The Future of the Global Quinoa Industry
The transition of quinoa from a regional Andean staple to a global strategic crop marks one of the most significant shifts in modern agriculture. As of 2025, several key conclusions can be drawn regarding its production, processing, and market trajectory:
Andean Dominance vs. Global Expansion: While Peru and Bolivia still provide nearly 98% of the world's primary supply, the "globalization" of the crop is irreversible. With research and commercial production now occurring in over 120 countries, the Andean monopoly is slowly shifting toward a more decentralized supply chain. This expansion is essential for stabilizing global prices and reducing the impact of regional climate shocks.
The "Processing" Frontier: The most significant economic growth is no longer in raw grain exports but in industrial processing. "Refining" capacity—the ability to remove saponins efficiently and create value-added flours, flakes, and proteins—is becoming the new benchmark for market leadership. Countries like India and the Netherlands are positioning themselves as major hubs by leveraging advanced milling and extrusion technologies.
Climate Resilience and Food Security: Quinoa has moved beyond the "health food" niche to become a tool for global food security. Its ability to thrive in saline soils and arid conditions makes it a cornerstone of FAO initiatives in the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. As climate change threatens traditional cereal yields (like wheat and rice), quinoa’s role as a resilient alternative is expected to grow.
A Mature and Specialized Market: The market has moved past the "boom and bust" cycle of 2013–2015. Today’s market is mature, with a clear distinction between commodity quinoa (high-yield, mechanized) and premium quinoa (Andean "Royal" varieties, organic, and fair-trade). For Andean farmers to remain competitive, the focus must stay on protecting biodiversity and maintaining the unique "terroir" of the high-altitude Altiplano.
