Ingredion signs commercial deal with quinoa flour firm NorQuin

Ingredion has entered into an exclusive commercial agreement with Northern Quinoa Production Corporation (NorQuin), which provides Ingredion with the exclusive rights to distribute and market NorQuin’s quinoa flours globally.

Canada-based NorQuin has been producing quinoa products for use in snacks, crackers, baked goods, as well as dairy and meat alternatives for over 20 years.

In addition to the commercial exclusivity, the agreement also includes the option for Ingredion to make a future equity investment in NorQuin.

Jim Zallie, Ingredion’s president and CEO, said: “We are excited to enter into an agreement with NorQuin to further expand our specialties portfolio with quinoa flours and capitalize on the plant-based protein trend shaping the global food industry.

“Consumers today are looking for foods and beverages made with real ingredients that are familiar, trusted, sustainably sourced and authentic. This latest investment complements our pulse-based protein portfolio, unlocks future growth opportunities and enhances our ability to co-create with our customers to deliver consumer-preferred foods and beverages
that are nutritious and taste great.”

Tony DeLio, senior vice president, corporate strategy and chief innovation officer at Ingredion, added: “Consumer demand for plant-based protein is rapidly growing around the world, and we want to offer a full range of solutions that best meet our customers’ needs.

“Quinoa is a grain, which has nutritional value that is complementary to pulses, such as peas and lentils. NorQuin has invested more than two decades of research to develop proprietary and high-yielding quinoa. Working with NorQuin, we have the opportunity to further innovate and commercialise novel quinoa-based protein offerings for food manufacturers.”

Aaron Jackson, CEO of NorQuin, said: “We aim to make quinoa more accessible so we can improve human health and the resource efficiency of the foods that we eat. Our new partnership with Ingredion will help us do that at scale.

“Ingredion’s global reach, deep-rooted distribution channels and R&D expertise will help accelerate our growth and deliver on our mission.”