Functional Foods: Fad or Path to Prosperity?

Demand for functional foods (açaí, chia seeds, maca, native blue corn, native cacao, native potatoes, and quinoa) has increased in recent years creating new market opportunities at the domestic and international levels for smallholder farmers in Latin America. This situation has led to an increase in the prices received by farmers, which has enhanced the household income and wellbeing of some families and motivated them to increase production. This visualization illustrates the roles the private and public sectors have played in supporting producers to access these markets, through product research and development and improving access to financial and training services. As these markets mature, there is a growing demand for providing value-added products. The development of these products, however, cannot be left to farmers alone. Research and coordinated action throughout the value chain (intermediaries, processors, retailers, restaurants and end consumers) is necessary to develop products that not only generate profits but also (and more importantly) meet the needs of end consumers. This visualization aims to spark interest among researchers, development practitioners, policy makers, and other stakeholders in ensuring the sustainability of these markets for functional foods once the current boom ebbs.