Chia imports into the European Union almost triple while prices recover slightly

Chia imports into the European Union increased by an amazing 185% in the year ending February 2016, as compared to a year before. The four main chia exporting countries in Latin America, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Mexico, exported a total of 12701 MT chia to EU countries.   The average chia import price has been … Read more

Torfolk introduces unsweetened Lingonberry spread in the Netherlands

Responding to repeated requests from customers, Torfolk has added lingonberry spread without any sugar or other sweeteners, like agave syrup or concentrated fruit juice, to its product line. This spread consists of 100% lingonberries, without any additives at all. One jar of 380 gram contains approximately 1500 berries, which have been heated gently. The lingonberry … Read more

Novel Food Notification for chia seed for our client GCP Import & Export in Bolivia approved

Our client GCP import & Export from Bolivia has recently obtained the Novel Food Notification for chia. This means that GCP is now licensed to export chia seeds directly to all European buyers. Chia seed is classified as a Novel Food in the European Union due to a lack of history of consumption in the … Read more

Organic chocolate from Ecuador brought to European market by KIWA Inalproces

At the request of Inalproces from Ecuador, Mercadero reviewed the labels of two new products to be launched at Biofach 2016: NATIFS Organic Chocolate Goldenberry and KIWA Organic Chocolate with Cassava Chips. When bringing a new product to the European market the labels must be thoroughly checked to be sure that they meet the legal … Read more

Come meet us at Biofach 2016

Mercadero will be present at Biofach 2016 supporting international companies, thus upholding the tradition of participating in this largest trade fair of the organic industry. Freek Jan will be coaching his clients from Indonesia and the Philippines in the CBI Pavillion in Hall 4 (Stand 4-471). Inge will be promoting chia seeds, quinoa, sesame seeds and … Read more

Figures for European Consumption of Quinoa revised

After our post of December 2015 on European quinoa consumption, we received an email from Mr Jason Abbott of AbbottAgra specifying the contribution of quinoa produced in Europe to the figures of apparent consumption. Based on this, we revised our preliminary figure for apparent consumption for the Year Ending October 2015 to 20362 tons. Mr … Read more

ZEAS Apícola brings honey from Nicaragua to Europe

The Nicaraguan honey supplier ZEAS Apícola came to Europe to introduce their polyfloral honey to potential buyers. This honey is very tasty with an intense flavor. ZEAS cooperates with the women’s cooperative Dulce Miel, which supports rural women of Nicaragua through beekeeping. Zeas Apícola is well known in Nicaragua, and is now ready to start … Read more

Opportunities for floating rice from Vietnam

Our study on European market opportunities for traditional floating rice from Vietnam was published some time ago by commissioner CBI. Floating rice is adapted to changing water tables and can therefore be part of adaptation strategies for climate change. Whereas export opportunities are limited, the product has a traditional market domestically.

CBI factsheet on amaranth seed in Europe published

The CBI factsheet describes the European market for amaranth seeds, the little sister of quinoa in the family of healthy pseudo grains. Amaranth imports are estimated at  5775 tons in 2014, up from about 4500 tons in 2013. This is quite a substantial volume compared to about 15000 tons of  quinoa imports in 2014. Production of amaranth, which … Read more