Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDry (Whole Grain/Seed)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Red quinoa in India is positioned as a niche grain/pseudocereal for domestic consumption, with supply supplemented by imports while domestic cultivation is described in Indian research literature as a new and still-unorganized crop. ICAR-published work characterizes quinoa as an annual rabi crop (about 120–150 days to maturity) and discusses its suitability across diverse Indian agro-climates, indicating an emerging (not yet mainstream) production base. Market entry for imported quinoa is shaped by India’s food import clearance (FSSAI/FICS: document scrutiny, inspection, sampling and testing) and plant quarantine requirements for plant-origin consignments, which can affect clearance time and acceptance outcomes.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with emerging domestic cultivation
Domestic RoleNiche grain alternative in the domestic retail market; limited early-stage domestic cultivation
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Specification
Primary VarietyRed quinoa
Physical Attributes- Clean, dry whole grain with red seed coat appearance
- Absence of live insects, quarantine weed seeds, and excessive foreign matter to reduce SPS clearance risk
Packaging- Moisture-protective bulk packaging for import distribution
- Retail consumer packs for domestic sale
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas supplier (bulk grain) → ocean freight → Indian port/ICD entry → plant quarantine and food import clearance → importer warehousing → cleaning/repacking (as applicable) → wholesale/retail/e-commerce distribution
Temperature- Ambient handling is typical; humidity control is important for storage stability in many Indian climates
Shelf Life- Storage stability depends on maintaining low moisture and preventing insect infestation during warehousing and distribution
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Phytosanitary HighIndia’s plant quarantine controls on imported plant-origin consignments can delay, mandate treatment, or trigger rejection/deportation if quinoa consignments are non-compliant (e.g., quarantine pest/weed contamination or documentation gaps), creating a hard market-access disruption risk for imported red quinoa.Use pre-shipment cleaning/sieving and pest-control SOPs; ensure phytosanitary documentation (when applicable) is complete and consistent; align shipment documents with the importer/CHA checklist before arrival.
Food Safety MediumFSSAI import clearance can involve document scrutiny plus selective sampling/testing; non-conformance (including labeling/document issues) can cause delays or rejection outcomes for imported quinoa consignments.Pre-validate documentation and labels for India requirements; maintain complete shipment dossier (IEC, COO, invoice/packing list, BoL, label copy) and any supplier test/quality documentation requested by the importer.
Logistics MediumImport-supplemented supply is exposed to ocean freight volatility and international routing disruptions, affecting landed cost, lead times, and in-market availability.Diversify origins/logistics routes where feasible; hold buffer inventory for retail programs; use freight planning/forward bookings for peak shipping periods.
FAQ
What are the main Indian authorities/systems involved in importing quinoa for food use?Imported quinoa can be referred to FSSAI for food import clearance through the Food Import Clearance System (FICS), integrated with Customs ICEGATE/SWIFT. Plant-origin consignments are also subject to India’s plant quarantine framework administered under the Plant Quarantine Order.
Is quinoa classified under a specific ITC-HS code in India?Yes. In the Indian ITC-HS schedule, quinoa is listed under 1008 50 00 as “Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)”.
What is a common deal-breaker compliance risk for importing red quinoa into India?A major risk is phytosanitary non-compliance under India’s plant quarantine controls—if a shipment is found contaminated with quarantine pests/weeds or has document issues, it can face treatment, delay, or rejection actions at entry.