Quinoa Quality (QQ) is happy to present the second newsletter, with information of interest for the quinoa producers in Europe. The newsletter is sent to all the clients of QQ, but others are welcome to subscribe to it. Once more the quinoa has behaved well under another extreme year, which has caused large variations in yield in the major crops. Quinoa yield has this year reached up to 3,5 t/ha. Last year in 2018 with the severe drought in northern Europe, quinoa performed better than other major crops. Your comments and questions on cultivation, market aspects, and anything else, are always welcome, just contact us at info@quinoaquality.com.
With the very best regards,
Sven-Erik Jacobsen
QQ news
On June 13th 2019
I have converted the personal business, Quinoa Quality, into a private limited company:
Quinoa Quality ApS
Company Registration (VAT No.): 40610588
c/o Sven-Erik Jacobsen
From the above date, the private limited company Quinoa Quality ApS has succeeded to all rights and obligations of the former personal company. The reason for this has been the increasing activities for the company, changing from a one-person company to a limited enterprise. This will better support the growers. Quinoa Quality ApS has acquired all relevant rights to the Varieties and the Trial Varieties & Species previously belonging to the personal business. The conversion has no effects on the customers.
The 2019 season
The first four months of the year were characterized by warmer-than-average conditions across much of the global land, however, in northern Europe, it was cold and frost in March and the beginning of April. April, which often is the month for sowing, was wetter than normal in the south but dry in the north of Europe. In the north May was wet and cold, followed by high temperatures in June. In continental Europe, the temperatures in June and July were extremely high, up to above 40 C. The summer was almost as warm as the record summer 2018 but less dry as rain appeared mainly as fewer, heavy rains.
Figure 1 Rain in quinoa
Since the first newsletter, we have had a season which as always has shown some challenges. The growing season started in many places with dry conditions, followed by rainy and cold weather, finally leading to a warm, in central Europeextremely warm, and rather dry beginning of the summer. Despite these climatic challenges we have seen almost solely nice fields of quinoa, from north to south. At the moment we do not know the results, but although downy mildew has been widespread, the first yield results indicate higher yields than last year. In Spain was noticed problems with the beetle Altica sp., attacking the young plants after germination, and just after emergence.
The problem was severe, so a solution must be found to it, and I am looking into possible treatments. Other pests have not been seen as causing damage this season, so it is positive.
Fig. 2 Damage in Spain - Fig. 3 Titicaca in France
There are differences in the market development of locally produced quinoa in different countries around Europe. In some countries have been developed with for instance dehulled seed, flour, flakes, and pasta. Other products under development are quinoa beer, sausages and The cooperation between the growers and the agroindustry and retailers are crucial. Quinoa is regarded as the new global crop by the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO, and we see the market and the production of quinoa growing every year. The estimation says a 20% market increase per year. Therefore it is not a question if quinoa will become a successful product, based on locally produced quinoa in Europe. It is only a question of when. Below is seen a product of quinoa, produced in France, and one way to use the quinoa seed, which may be in a porridge. Porridge can be called healthy fast food, in 10 min. you have a delicious meal, full of nutrients. The pictures from Denmark where there is a lot of interest in the crop, are interesting because we are close to the northern limit for growing a tropical species like quinoa. But it goes well, and there are good results from the field.
New products It is still too early to say what we will have for next year, we are working hard on being ready to offer more high quality species. I will return with more information. A long range of tests will take place with both my own developments and with material received from other companies, with whom collaboration has been initiated. Among the tested crops are pulses, which are needed to improve soil fertility, fixate N from the air, and provide protein for the future market.
Quinoa Quality full product catalog can be found here: Quinoa seeds. QQ planning for the high tech future We plan to develop the webpage to become more interactive, and also to connect it to social media. It is a process that has already started, and the improvements will be seen gradually. Plans for 2020 Please consider as soon as possible what you will grow next year. It will then be easier for me to assure you of the seed. When I receive a pre-order, which is not binding in any way, I will make the reservation for you.
Best regards
The Quinoa Quality team
Sven-Erik Jacobsen – Man. Director Jes Colding - Chairman Peter Slaatorn - Head of Administration