The youth of the tribe have taken the red quinoa craze, and the price of the bumper harvest has fallen this year. Experts appeal that the red quinoa is resistant to storage and storage and do not sell at a low price.

Share + 1 Tweet Email

(by upstream and downstream journalist Lin Shijun / tr. by Phil Newell)

In recent years, there has been a wave of health preservation. Taiwan Red Chenopodium, known as the "ruby of the cereal industry," has also received attention because of its high nutritional value. "Walk a short way to Chenopodium" records the story of how the young farmers of the Paiwan nationality in Taitung called on the young people to return to their hometown and jointly create tribal industries, so that the traditional grain red quinoa, which was originally hidden in the tribe, can leap onto the world stage.

However, as more and more farmers put into the production of red quinoa, the output of red quinoa reached a new high this year. Some villagers in Pingtung said bluntly that too many farmers scrambled for seeds, resulting in a sharp drop in the price of red quinoa. "Mr. Red Chenopodium" Wu Zhengzhong believes that as long as more market channels are opened, the imbalance between supply and demand can be solved. Pan Yung-hsiang, who helps the indigenous people promote industrial development, also said that red quinoa has no doubt about storage, and called on farmers not to be too nervous and sell at a low price after harvest.

The outer shell of quinoa with diosgenin can also develop products (Photo Source / Cole Valley Farm)

The planting area of Chenopodium increased, resulting in a bumper harvest.

As to whether red quinoa is facing unsalable problems, Wu Zhengzhong said that compared with last year, the planting area of red quinoa in Taitung has increased by at least 20 hectares, and this year's bumper harvest and yield have indeed increased a lot, but as long as the market has a higher acceptance of red quinoa, it can help the supply and demand of red quinoa reach a balance. "this is a good thing, but many consumers don't know it yet."

Wu Zhengzhong also points out that it is very important to expand the market for red quinoa. "if the channel has not yet been opened, it will of course be unsalable." Wu plans to expand the storage equipment for red quinoa, and at the same time more actively negotiate cooperation opportunities with various channels, hoping to specifically increase the market demand of red quinoa, so that farmers can be encouraged to invest in red quinoa production in the future.

Lai Licheng, head of Qingye Village in Pingtung, says that in recent years, there has been an upsurge in the cultivation of red quinoa, and both aborigines and flat land farmers are scrambling to grow it. This year's planting area of red quinoa in Pingtung is more than five times that of last year, and this year's harvest is several times that of previous years. "the output is so much that I don't even know what to do. The price is also very poor... no, no, no. "

Lai Licheng points out that in previous years, red quinoa sold for 250 yuan a jin, but this year the price is only 120 to 150 yuan. In the face of a large number of unsalable red quinoa, Lai said helplessly that at present he can only actively look for large processing factories and "try his best to sell the hoarded goods."

Red quinoa can be stored, farmers don't need to sell in a hurry.

Xie Zhenchang, director of Coke Valley Organic Chenopodium Farm, also admitted that the output of red quinoa this year is indeed higher than in previous years. He points out that there are many new quinoa farmers in Yunlin, Changhua, Taitung and Pingtung this year, some of which are rice crops. However, Xie stressed that farmers who work as red quinoa with the farm have a contractual guarantee that they will not be affected by fluctuations in market prices. At present, the purchase price of red quinoa with shells is about NT $200 per kilogram.

Xie Zhenchang pointed out that red quinoa is a storable crop, so even if the supply increases a lot in a short period of time, it is unlikely to lead to a price collapse.

Pan Yung-hsiang, chief executive of the newly created project of the Pingtung County Aboriginal characteristic Agriculture Promotion Association, says that the acreage of red quinoa has mainly increased in non-indigenous tribes and plain areas, such as Yunlin and Pingtung, where the rice area used to be fallow in the second half of the year. since last year, red quinoa has been planted one after another, making this year's output about two to three times that of last year.

However, Pan Yung-hsiang said bluntly that farmers who have worked with operators for a long time will not be affected by the ups and downs of market prices. "it is mainly because the purchase prices of small farmers are fluctuating." Pan further points out that quinoa belongs to miscellaneous grains, and unlike other fruits and vegetables, there is no doubt about the shelf life. As long as you keep it at room temperature, avoid dampness, and isolate the air and ultraviolet rays as much as possible, it can be preserved for a long time.

Pan Yongxiang suggested that after farmers harvest red quinoa in large quantities, they should not be credulous about the changes in market prices. As long as the red quinoa is properly stored for a period of time, the price of red quinoa will stabilize. "Don't be too nervous to sell at a low price!"

Share + 1 Tweet Email