Indian White Quinoa
Elysium Agri exports Indian white quinoa grown in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, washed and scarified to remove saponin, sortex-cleaned to 99.5%+ purity and tested to the Codex quinoa standard. It is a rabi crop harvested in February and March, giving buyers an off-season alternative to South American quinoa.
Indian quinoa is a little smaller and milder than Peruvian and Bolivian quinoa and usually 8–25% cheaper, which suits food manufacturers, cereal and bakery brands and repackers. It is naturally gluten-free and high in protein.
Quinoa Specification
Saponin
≤ 0.1% (washed / scarified)
Purity
99.5–99.9% (sortex)
Grain Size
1.4–2.0 mm (medium to large)
Moisture
12% max
Protein
≥ 12% (dry basis)
Broken Grains
≤ 2%
Gluten
Gluten-free (< 20 ppm)
Microbiology
Salmonella absent / 25 g
Packing
25 kg PP or paper bags, 1 MT FIBC
Quinoa: Full Export Specification
The standard export specification for our white quinoa, benchmarked to Codex CXS 333-2019 and FSSAI. Send your own specification with your enquiry.
| General | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Product | White quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), washed / scarified, sortex-cleaned | Saponin removed |
| Crop / season | Rabi crop, sown Oct–Dec; harvest Feb–Mar | — |
| Colour | White to ivory | Visual |
| Physical | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.5–99.9% | Sortex |
| Grain size | 1.4–2.0 mm (Codex medium 1.4–1.7, large 1.7–2.0) | — |
| Moisture | ≤ 12% | FSSAI max 12%; Codex 13% |
| Broken grains | ≤ 2% | Codex max 3% |
| Damaged grains | ≤ 2.5% | Codex |
| Germinated / immature grains | ≤ 0.5% / ≤ 0.9% | Codex |
| Extraneous matter (organic / inorganic) | ≤ 0.1% each | Codex |
| Other grains | ≤ 0.5% | FSSAI |
| Chemical | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Saponin | ≤ 0.1% | Afrosimetric (foam) test; FSSAI max 0.1%, Codex 0.12% |
| Protein (dry basis) | ≥ 12% (typical 13–15%) | Codex min 10% |
| GlutenOn request | < 20 ppm (gluten-free) | ELISA; on request |
| Food safety | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Aflatoxin | B1 ≤ 2 / total ≤ 4 µg/kg | HPLC |
| Lead / cadmium | Pb ≤ 0.2 mg/kg · Cd ≤ 0.1 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
| Pesticide residues | Within EU / US MRLs | LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g | ISO 6579-1 |
| E. coli | < 10 cfu/g | ISO 16649-2 |
| TPC / yeast / mould | < 10⁴ / < 10³ / < 10⁴ cfu/g | ISO 4833-1 / 21527 |
| Commercial | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| HS code | 1008 50 00 (quinoa) | Confirm with your customs broker |
| Packing | 25 / 50 kg PP · 10 / 25 kg paper · 1 MT FIBC | Private label on request |
| Container load | 40 ft: about 24–27 MT | See Quinoa Packing and Container Loading |
| Shelf life | 12–24 months in cool, dry storage | — |
| Documents | Certificate of Analysis · Phytosanitary Certificate · Certificate of Origin | — |
How Indian Quinoa Compares
Indian quinoa is a young crop, grown mainly in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh since the mid-2010s. Here is how it compares with the South American benchmark.
| Indian quinoa | Peruvian / Bolivian quinoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Grain | Slightly smaller (mostly 1.4–2.0 mm) | Larger; Bolivian "royal" 2.0 mm+ |
| Taste | Mild | Mild to nutty |
| Harvest | Feb–Mar (rabi) | Apr–Jul |
| Price | Usually 8–25% lower | Benchmark |
| Freight to Middle East / Asia | Short | Long |
| Codex grain size class (indicative) | Diameter |
|---|---|
| Extra large | > 2.0 mm |
| Large | 1.7–2.0 mm |
| Medium | 1.4–1.7 mm |
| Small | < 1.4 mm |
Codex CXS 333-2019 grain-size classes are optional; state the class on the contract.
Choose Your Quinoa
White Quinoa
Washed, saponin-free, 99.5%+ sortex.
Also see: Millet Grain →Chia Seeds →
Quinoa Packing and Container Loading
| Pack type | Net weight | Units per 20 ft | Net per 20 ft | Net per 40 ft HC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP bag | 25 kg | — | ≈ 18–20 MT | ≈ 24–27 MT |
| Paper bag | 25 kg | — | ≈ 18–20 MT | ≈ 24–27 MT |
| FIBC | 1,000 kg | ≈ 18–20 | ≈ 18–20 MT | ≈ 24–26 MT |
Where Quinoa Is Used
Breakfast Cereals and Granola
Whole and puffed quinoa.
Bakery and Snacks
Bars, crackers and gluten-free bakery.
Ready Meals and Salads
Cooked quinoa for food service.
Retail Repacking
Branded quinoa packs.
Flour and Flakes
Milled quinoa for gluten-free products.
Plant Protein
High-protein, gluten-free ingredient.
Quinoa Price: What Sets It
Quinoa is priced per metric tonne FOB. Indian quinoa usually sells below South American quinoa.
- Grain size: larger grain costs more.
- Saponin removal and sorting: washed, sortex quinoa costs more.
- Colour and organic status: red, black and organic carry premiums.
- Peruvian market: Peru sets world prices.
- Currency and freight.:
Prices move with the crop and the market, so we quote on the day. Tell us your grade, quantity and port for a current FOB, CFR or CIF price.
Tested, Certified and Traceable
Every lot of quinoa is washed or scarified to remove saponin, sortex-cleaned and tested for saponin, protein, microbiology, aflatoxin, heavy metals and pesticide residues against Codex CXS 333-2019 and FSSAI limits.
- Sourcing from Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh
- Washing / scarifying and drying
- Sortex and grading
- Lab test (saponin, protein, micro, residues)
- Export documents
Documents with every shipment
Get a Quinoa Quote
Share your colour, grain size and quantity, and we will send a price with the spec sheet.
Thank you. Our spices desk will send your price and spec sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is quinoa grown in India?
Yes. India has grown quinoa commercially since the mid-2010s, mainly in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh (Anantapur), with smaller areas in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and the Himalayan states. It is a rabi crop harvested in February and March.
What is the specification of quinoa for export?
Export white quinoa typically has saponin ≤ 0.1%, moisture ≤ 12%, protein ≥ 12% (dry basis), 99.5%+ purity, broken grains ≤ 2% and grain size 1.4–2.0 mm, with Salmonella absent and residues within EU limits, in line with Codex CXS 333-2019 and FSSAI.
Is Indian quinoa saponin-free?
Our quinoa is washed or scarified to remove saponin, the bitter coating on the grain, down to 0.1% or less, which is the FSSAI limit (Codex allows up to 0.12% for sweet quinoa).
How does Indian quinoa compare with Peruvian quinoa?
Indian quinoa is slightly smaller and milder than Peruvian and Bolivian quinoa, is harvested earlier (Feb–Mar) and usually costs 8–25% less, with shorter freight to the Middle East and Asia.
What is the HS code for quinoa?
Quinoa is exported from India under HS 1008 50 00.
Is quinoa gluten-free?
Yes. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free. We can test lots to below 20 ppm gluten for gluten-free labelling on request.
Who exports quinoa from India?
Elysium Agri Corporation exports Indian white quinoa from Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, washed, saponin-free and sortex-cleaned, tested to Codex and FSSAI limits.
