Premium Fonio

Premium fonio grain from West Africa, featuring Burkina Faso quality homogeneity and Mali traditional processing with exceptional nutritional value

Product Overview

Primary Source

Burkina Faso (Premium)

Secondary Source

Mali (Traditional)

Harvest Season

September - December

Export Pricing

$6,500-12,000/MT FOB

Fonio represents Africa's oldest cultivated grain with 5,000+ years of heritage, revered as both a nutritional powerhouse and cultural treasure. Our strategic West Africa sourcing combines Burkina Faso's homogeneous quality and organic focus with Mali's traditional processing expertise and cultural authenticity. This ancient superfood offers complete amino acid profiles, naturally gluten-free nutrition, and quick 5-8 minute cooking time—perfectly positioned for the rapidly growing global superfood market (10.07% CAGR) with premium export pricing of $6,500-12,000/MT.

Detailed Specifications

Technical Specifications

Botanical Name

Digitaria exilis

Grain Type

Ancient African millet

Grain Size

0.5-1.5mm diameter

Moisture Content

≤ 12% (standard)

Foreign Matter

≤ 2% maximum

Cooking Time

5-8 minutes

Quality Standards & Classifications

Grade
Grain Uniformity
Purity Level
Market Application
Premium
95%+ uniform size
≥98% pure fonio
Organic retail, gourmet markets
Standard
90%+ uniform size
≥95% pure fonio
Health food stores, wholesale
Commercial
85%+ uniform size
≥92% pure fonio
Food processing, bulk markets

Export Packaging Standards

Package Type
Weight Options
Container Load
Best For
25kg PP Bags Standard export bags
25kg net weight
20-22MT per 20ft
Wholesale, B2B
50kg PP Bags Bulk commercial
50kg net weight
22-24MT per 20ft
Food processors
Retail Packages Consumer ready
500g, 1kg, 2kg
Variable load
Retail distribution

Quality Standards & Certifications

Organic Certification

USDA Organic, EU Organic certification available for premium grades

  • No pesticides or chemical fertilizers
  • Traditional farming methods
  • Certified organic supply chains

Laboratory Testing

Comprehensive analysis for international export standards

  • Mycotoxin testing (AFB1 ≤2ppb)
  • Heavy metals analysis
  • Microbiological safety testing

Sustainable Sourcing

Supporting traditional farming communities in West Africa

  • Fair trade partnerships
  • Smallholder farmer support
  • Environmental conservation

Our Certifications

Organic Certified
Fair Trade
GlobalGAP Certified
Ecocert

Processing Standards

1

Traditional Harvesting

Hand-harvested at optimal maturity during dry season (September-December) to ensure maximum nutritional content and grain integrity

2

Cleaning & Winnowing

Traditional winnowing methods followed by modern screening to remove chaff, stones, and foreign materials while preserving grain quality

3

Drying & Moisture Control

Controlled sun-drying to achieve optimal moisture content of 10-12% for extended shelf life and export standards

4

Quality Sorting

Manual sorting and optical sorting to remove damaged grains, ensuring uniform size and premium appearance

5

Export Packaging

Food-grade packaging in controlled environment with proper labeling and traceability documentation

Packaging & Logistics

Export Packaging Options

Specification
25kg PP Bags
50kg PP Bags
Retail Packages
Net Weight
25kg ± 0.5kg
50kg ± 1kg
500g-2kg
Container Load (20ft)
22MT (880 bags)
24MT (480 bags)
Variable
Material
Food-grade PP woven
Food-grade PP woven
PE/Paper composite
Shelf Life
24 months
24 months
18-24 months

Shipping & Logistics

Sea Freight

Primary shipping method for bulk orders

  • 20ft containers: 22-24MT
  • 40ft containers: 24-26MT
  • Transit time: 18-25 days to EU/US

Air Freight

Express delivery for samples and urgent orders

  • Maximum 100kg per shipment
  • Transit time: 2-3 days
  • Premium packaging required

Consolidation

Mixed container loads available

  • Combine with other products
  • Minimum 5MT per product
  • Cost-effective for variety

Pricing & Terms

Current Export Pricing (FOB)

Grade
Price Range (USD/MT)
Minimum Order
Availability
Premium Organic
$10,000-12,000
5MT
Year-round
Standard Grade
$7,500-9,000
10MT
Year-round
Commercial
$6,500-8,000
20MT
Seasonal

Pricing includes: Traditional processing, cleaning & hulling, quality control, export documentation, logistics coordination, and immediate farmer payment via secure escrow system. Prices subject to market conditions and order volume.

Secure Payment Systems

CIPS (China Cross-Border)

  • 0.5-1.5% fees (vs 3-5% SWIFT)
  • Same-day settlement CNY/USD
  • Via Bank of Africa Mali

Escrow Services

  • EscrowLock, Payoneer Escrow
  • 1.5-2.5% transaction fees
  • Automatic payment split & release

Stablecoins (USDC/USDT)

  • 0.1-1% fees (lowest cost)
  • Minutes to hours settlement
  • 24/7 global accessibility

Nutritional Benefits

Nutritional Composition (per 100g)

Energy

378 kcal

Protein

11.2g

Carbohydrates

76.1g

Fat

2.8g

Fiber

6.4g

Iron

11.2mg

Health Benefits

Complete Protein

Contains all essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source ideal for vegetarian and vegan diets

Gluten-Free

Naturally gluten-free grain suitable for celiac disease sufferers and gluten-sensitive individuals

High Iron Content

Excellent source of iron, providing more than quinoa or brown rice, supporting healthy blood formation

Quick Cooking

Cooks in just 5-8 minutes, making it ideal for fast-paced modern lifestyles while maintaining nutrition

Storage & Handling Requirements

Temperature Control

Storage Temperature 15-25°C (59-77°F) with good ventilation Optimal: 18-22°C
Transit Conditions Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations Max: 35°C

Humidity Control

Relative Humidity 60-70% maximum to prevent mold growth Ideal: 55-65%
Ventilation Ensure adequate air circulation in storage areas

Shelf Life

Bulk Storage 24 months in PP bags under proper conditions 24 months
Retail Packaging 18-24 months depending on packaging material 18-24 months

Special Requirements

Pest Control Regular inspection for grain beetles and moths
Avoid Contamination Store away from chemicals, strong odors, and contaminated materials

Applications & Uses

Traditional Cuisine

Prepared as porridge, couscous, or side dish in West African cuisine. Often served with vegetables, meat, or fish

  • Fonio porridge with milk and honey
  • Fonio couscous with vegetables
  • Traditional fonio balls (boulettes)

Modern Applications

Incorporated into contemporary recipes and health food products for international markets

  • Gluten-free bread and pastries
  • Breakfast cereals and granola
  • Protein bars and health snacks

Food Processing

Processed into flour and value-added products for retail and industrial use

  • Fonio flour for baking
  • Ready-to-cook fonio products
  • Baby food formulations

Health Food Market

Premium positioning in health food and superfood markets worldwide

  • Organic health food stores
  • Vegan and vegetarian products
  • Specialized dietary foods

Cultural Significance

Africa's Ancient Grain Heritage

Fonio holds profound cultural significance as one of Africa's oldest cultivated grains, with archaeological evidence dating back over 5,000 years. In West African societies, fonio is more than just food—it represents cultural identity, traditional knowledge, and agricultural heritage.

The Grain of Kings

Traditionally reserved for special occasions and offered to honored guests, fonio was considered food fit for royalty and spiritual ceremonies.

Community Traditions

Fonio cultivation and processing involve entire communities, with traditional knowledge passed down through generations, particularly among women.

Sustainable Agriculture

Grown using ancestral farming methods that preserve soil health and biodiversity, fonio represents sustainable agricultural practices.

Modern Revival

As global interest in ancient grains grows, fonio is experiencing a renaissance, bringing economic opportunities to traditional farming communities.

Ready to Source Premium West Africa Fonio?

Contact our Burkina Faso and Mali sourcing partners for pricing, samples, and organic certification options

Our Office

Bamako, Mali | London, UK

Phone

+44(0)2045720724

Email

info@epifresh.co

WhatsApp

+44(0)7541671714

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/alocha-epifresh