Quinoa is known as the gold of the Andes. It flourishes in areas where other crops struggle.
Growing it has become more challenging as weather patterns change and other countries ramp up production.
We visit quinoa farmers in Peru to see how they’re adapting to an uncertain future.
The majority of the world’s quinoa comes from Peru, where around 100,000 tons are produced every year. The popularity of quinoa exploded over the past decade, transforming the fortunes of farmers who had been harvesting it for generations. Unfortunately, those good years may be coming to an end. Other countries have increased quinoa production, driving down prices, while shifting weather patterns have threatened yields.
Experts think the future of quinoa may be in the more than 3,000 varieties that can be harvested in Peru. But the types sold in supermarkets represent just a fraction of them. For now, farmers have to focus on what sells. We visited farmers in the region of Puno — where about 40% of the country’s quinoa is produced — to see how they are adapting to an uncertain future.