Herbalgram: Peruvian Maca Smuggling

Peruvian Maca Smuggling... It's been interesting and at times, dangerous.

Do you want to know what is happening behind the scenes? Maca Madness! The Journal of the American Botanical Council explains how Chinese Herb Smugglers have created chaos in the Peruvian andes by unlawfully smuggling maca root seeds out of the country of Peru in order to grow low quality "maca" (equivalent to Lepidium Meyenii Walpers) in China.

This problem began about 20 years ago and brought lasting consequences to the market, consumers around the world and local farming communities in Peru that rely on an annual yield.

Sol Raiz Organics entered the U.S market warning consumers and retailers about this exact problem which has tainted the integrity of Real Maca and affected the lives of traditional maca farmers who work to ensure quality assurance and are dedicated to the future of Chacon Maca.

It is eye opening to witness how some Health Food Store Manager/Buyers, who are pillars of the community, have ignored this information and have chosen to keep the lower quality maca on their shelves without giving their customers the opportunity to experience the benefits of Real Maca. Our loyal retail partners are greatly appreciated and we urge you to support your local Health Food Store that supports heirloom seeds.

Find Sol Raiz Organics featured in page 52 with our partners, the last purveyors of heirloom Chacon Maca, in Junin, Peru.

Above. Sol Raiz Organics founder, Ken Stittsworth, on a regular visit to the Sol Raiz Organics Estate in Junin, Peru during Chacon Maca harvest season.