On March 13 the Ecuadorian Consortium of Quinoa Exporters began operations. The Institute of Investment and Export Promotion will support the new consortium’s plan to establish 32 outposts all over the world to promote the grain-like crop. 

“We are handling 2,200 tonnes, from 14,000 hectares--15 different products,” said José Jaramillo, the president of the consortium. The small companies that are members of the group already export quinoa flour, paste, energy bars, and soups to the U.S., Spain, Italy and Germany.

Ecuador’s foreign minister Ricardo Patiño says that in 2012 the quinoa export business was worth about $2,500,000. The province of Chimborazo is responsible for 66 percent of the countrys production.

On Feb. 20, the United Nations declared 2013 the Year of Quinoa.

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