Quinoa Should Be Taking Over the World

Quinoa, a grain originating in South America that’s touted for its health benefits, has exploded in global popularity. This newfound fame is driven by wealthy, health-conscious Americans. Quinoa’s story is tied together with the intricacies of international agribusiness, foreign investment and global trade – and the role these play in providing food. Price per pound for the crop tripled from 2006 to 2011, and now falls between $4.50 and $8.00, due to increased demand from the United States and Peru as well as UN publicity that named 2013 the International Year of Quinoa. The effect of this sudden attention hasn’t been lost upon the farmers in chief quinoa producer states such as Bolivia. Cultivated land nearly doubled since 2009 and incomes have risen from $35 per family a month to $220. With quinoa on an upward trajectory, many are left wondering why the United States, an agriculture titan, has not begun to plant the grain itself. The answer to that question lies in a combination of market risk, price volatility, lack of suitable growing conditions and a powerful political farming establishment waiting for markets for this specialty product to mature. – YaleGlobal