Dossier Quinoa

Quinoa cultivation in Flanders
 

Quinoa originally comes from South America, but today it is becoming a local story. While most quinoa still comes from thousands of kilometers away, European and Flemish growers are discovering the exceptional potential of this protein-rich pseudocereal. The sustainable value of local quinoa is attracting interest not only from farmers but also from processors and retailers who are open to new, climate-friendly, locally sourced ingredients.

That is why we are investing in research that will deliver on this promise: innovative cultivation techniques, hardy varieties, and new applications that will secure the future of the Flemish quinoa supply chain.

Protein-rich crop with interesting amino acid profile

Demand for quinoa is growing in Flanders. This is mainly due to its health benefits, the trend toward protein diversification, and the success of targeted nutrition. As a pseudocereal, quinoa is not only gluten-free but also low in sugar, with high nutritional value and a higher protein and mineral content than other grains (corn, wheat, rice, etc.). The proteins are of high quality and therefore—just like animal proteins such as milk and eggs—contain all the essential amino acids in the correct proportions. In addition, it is also rich in minerals, vitamins, dietary fiber, and flavonoids.

Sustainable cultivation

In addition to being a healthy crop, quinoa is an environmentally friendly crop. Compared to grains, its water footprint is more than half as low. Furthermore, it is a stress-tolerant crop that is largely unaffected by drought and salinization, making it well-suited to withstand the effects of climate change. Finally, quinoa fits into a broader crop rotation because its cultivation does not deplete the soil and requires little to no crop protection.

Local cultivation: from pioneering work to practice

Quinoa cultivation is becoming increasingly established in Flanders. Research projects such as QUILO have significantly improved knowledge of cultivation techniques. Trials show that early-maturing, saponin-free varieties are particularly well-suited for both contract and independent cultivation. By focusing on mechanical weed control and cultivation without pesticides, quinoa farming has a low carbon footprint and aligns well with the sustainability goals of Flemish agriculture. Quinoa performs best with early, shallow sowing and requires only modest fertilization (90 units of nitrogen) to ensure a stable yield. As a profitable, protein-rich niche crop, quinoa is well-suited to diversifying crop rotation and can lead to more robust farm management. Thanks to various research projects, awareness and market interest in locally produced quinoa are growing, and new opportunities are emerging in the processing chain. Step by step, a strong, sustainable Flemish quinoa chain is taking shape.

Profitable cultivation?

For this crop to truly take off in Flanders, yields—and certainly their stability—must be improved even further. On the one hand, ILVO and its partners are working to further increase yields by optimizing fertilization, seed quality, and mechanical weed control. Adapted seeding techniques that promote good germination and early growth, as well as the control of downy mildew, are also key factors that can further improve yield stability. On the other hand, the availability of open-pollinated varieties with low saponin content is very limited. For this reason, ILVO launched quinoa breeding activities in 2020 with the goal of creating improved varieties adapted to Flemish conditions. The first varieties are expected shortly.