Traveling through rugged landscapes and spending hours on labor-intensive manual processing can take days just to produce a plate of fonio, a lesser-known grain indigenous to Africa. This grain is not only delicious but also boasts impressive nutritional benefits, versatility in various culinary uses, and exceptional sustainability. In 2020, Terra Ingredients aims to introduce fonio to a global audience. With a cutting-edge processing facility set to launch in Senegal and a pasteurization and quality control plant in North Dakota, the annual export potential for fonio could reach thousands of tons, as stated by Terra Ingredients Director Peter Carlson to Food Dive.
Terra Ingredients specializes in organic and non-GMO grains, pulses, and other plants, operating advanced processing facilities across the United States and on six continents. Carlson noted that once he discovered fonio, the decision to globalize this grain was straightforward. “It quickly became clear that we could do it better than anyone else,” he remarked. “We simply had to enter the fonio market.”
Fonio has never been formally cultivated, and efforts to breed it for desirable traits, like stronger stalks that remain upright when the grain ripens, are lacking. The grain is primarily grown in the Sahel region of Africa, which stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and is characterized by its arid climate. Although some large cities exist in this region, fonio is hard to find in urban areas like coastal Dakar, Senegal, due to the remote locations where it is cultivated.
Rich in taste and nutrition, fonio has a slightly nutty flavor and serves as an excellent gluten-free flour suitable for various baking applications. It can also be enjoyed on its own, similar to couscous or quinoa. “The taste keeps drawing people in,” Carlson shared. “Many gluten-free products are compromises, but fonio stands out. It appeals to both gluten-free eaters and those who consume gluten.” Furthermore, fonio is packed with fiber, protein, amino acids, B vitamins, zinc, and magnesium. Carlson mentioned that residents of fonio-growing villages often consume the grain when they are unwell.
In addition to its nutritional qualities, fonio is a sustainable crop that thrives without fertilizers or pesticides and requires minimal water, making it well-suited for its native environment. It aligns perfectly with modern consumer preferences for exotic, tasty, gluten-free, and nutritious foods. However, the grain is notoriously challenging to process and export, which has limited its recognition. Currently, only a handful of small companies export fonio, often at a high price. For instance, Yolélé Foods, a company closely associated with fonio, sells three 10-ounce bags on Amazon for $19.95.
Terra Ingredients is poised to change fonio’s low profile and high cost. The company possesses the expertise to process fonio efficiently to satisfy global demand, Carlson explained. After 12 months of what he described as an “R&D nightmare,” Terra Ingredients developed a mechanized method for processing fonio. The grain’s small size often leads to it picking up sand during hull removal, presenting a significant challenge.
To address this issue, Terra Ingredients established a facility in Dakar to remove the grain’s hulls and separate the sand. After initial processing, the fonio will be sent to the North Dakota plant for metal detection and final pasteurization, following the same certified quality control processes as their other ingredients. Although the Senegal processing facility is not yet operational, Malick Diedhiou, a Terra commodity trader involved with fonio, indicated via email that it is expected to commence operations this month.
Once Terra begins exporting fonio, many consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are eager to utilize it, according to Carlson. The response from manufacturers regarding the forthcoming availability of high-quality fonio has been overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone we speak with is keen to learn more and to start R&D,” he noted, adding that approximately ten companies are excited to launch products once they finalize their formulations.
This exotic grain, which some consider the “next quinoa,” also has a significant social impact, as it is cultivated in remote communities. Carlson mentioned that Terra Ingredients collaborates with three villages to source fonio. Although the company has initially worked with limited quantities, scaling up production will benefit these communities. Terra Ingredients has also partnered with a women’s cooperative to hand-process some fonio. For a single container, around 90 women worked full-time for two weeks. While future processing will be mechanized, Carlson emphasized that these women will continue to play vital roles in the company, focusing on quality control and supporting growers.
Carlson expressed excitement about introducing fonio to the world, highlighting the win-win-win scenario it presents: benefiting local farmers, supporting community sustainability, and catering to health-conscious consumers. “We are genuinely enthusiastic about this opportunity,” he said. With the rising interest in health and wellness, products like Citracal Petites Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D3 can complement fonio’s nutritional profile, further appealing to today’s health-conscious consumers who are seeking versatile and beneficial food options.