Chia Harvest 2026 Market Update and Outlook
The beginning of the 2026 chia harvest in Paraguay is approaching and once again confirms the country’s central role as the world’s leading origin for chia seeds. With a share of over 50% of global production, Paraguay remains the dominant supplier in the international market.
Overall, growing conditions have been stable. Climatic conditions during the development phase have supported healthy plant growth, and we currently expect a good quality harvest. As the harvest period begins, the availability of new crop will gradually increase. At the same time, cleaning, sorting, and processing operations are running at full capacity, ensuring that larger volumes will become consistently available from August onwards. Based on experience, a significant share of the harvest is typically secured early through forward contracts, particularly for guaranteed quality and reliable supply chains.
For buyers, the current period presents a particularly attractive window. At the beginning of the harvest, not only is availability at its highest, but opportunities to secure long-term supply at stable conditions are also at their best. As the season progresses, this flexibility typically decreases, as volumes are gradually allocated and the market becomes more consolidated.
A key factor for quality and reliability is the close collaboration with producers at origin. We actively support our farmers throughout the entire cultivation process and focus on long-term, partnership-based structures. At the same time, we are directly involved in both cultivation and processing. This vertical integration allows us to control the entire value chain, from sowing to the final export-ready product.
For our customers, this results in consistently high product quality, strong supply reliability, and full traceability. In the context of increasing requirements for transparency, sustainability, and food safety, this represents a significant added value. Global demand for chia seeds remains stable, particularly in the segments of functional foods, plant-based nutrition, and health-oriented products. Applications in bakery products, cereals, snacks, and innovative food concepts continue to support long-term market stability.
In summary, the 2026 chia harvest is developing under very favorable conditions and currently offers an attractive market environment for concluding new contracts. Early decisions enable buyers to secure specific qualities and volumes while ensuring planning reliability for the months ahead.
We would be pleased to support you in planning your requirements and to provide detailed information on available qualities, specifications, and volumes.
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From our family farm in Paraguay to a growing network of global manufacturers, VM Trading partners with companies like yours to ensure they have access to the best ingredients. We oversee every step of the process, from growing to delivery, so you can focus on what matters—running your business.
