Trade in Quinoa: Impact on the Welfare of Peruvian Communities

Buying quinoa contributes to better livelihoods for rural Peruvian communities, according to a new ITC study. The study provides much-needed data on the impact of changing market prices on the welfare of rural households in the altiplano of Peru. The findings inform policymakers about the benefits of the trade and challenges still facing smallholders, following conflicting media reports on the impact of higher quinoa prices.

Among the Aid-for-Trade policy recommendations are incentives for better storage facilities, establishment of markets for ecosystem services and support for market differentiation strategies for biodiverse, organic quinoa produced by smallholders.