RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Bolivian government is betting on turning the country into the first chia producer in the world. It has China in its sights to enter that market with this product of high nutritional value.
Bolivia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Benjamín Blanco, said in an interview on the state channel Bolivia TV that the Government wants Bolivia to go from obtaining US$27 million for the sale of chia annually to US$70 million.
Blanco explained that Bolivia is currently the second-largest producer of chia, with 15,000 tons of production per year. In first place is Paraguay, with 30,000 tons annually, according to the Vice Ministry of Communication bulletin.
Between 2013 and 2015, Bolivia worked on chia production and managed to go from being a country that did not produce this seed to being the second producer, so positioning itself as the first world market is the next challenge.
In addition, the authorities already have China in their sights as a potential market for this product that previously did not consume this seed that contains high nutritional values. In recent years, it has increased its use.
“China did not consume chia; it was not a product that was part of their imports, but since the pandemic and the need of several countries to seek foods of much more nutritional value and healthy has begun to import chia,” said Blanco, quoted in the statement.
That is why Bolivia is now waiting for “a sanitary opening by China” to enter that market. Blanco also highlighted the good diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The vice-minister explained that a mission from China should arrive to make an on-site inspection but that the covid-19 pandemic has delayed this meeting.
Chia is a seed rich in antioxidants, helps regulate intestinal transit, is a good source of protein, is high in soluble fiber, and prolongs satiety.
With information from EFE