Mexico City hosts Amaranth Fair to promote ancestral agricultural heritage

The Amaranth Fair has opened at the Monument to the Revolution in Mexico City, featuring 40 exhibitors from the southern boroughs of Xochimilco, Tláhuac, and Milpa Alta. Organized by the Mexico City Ministry of Tourism and the Institute for Tourism Promotion, the event showcases the historical, cultural, and nutritional value of this ancestral grain, which has been a staple of Mesoamerican diets for over 4,000 years.

In addition to commercial opportunities for local producers, the fair serves as a platform to highlight the biocultural heritage of the capital. Visitors can find various products, including obleas, alegrías, tamales, and contemporary preparations made from amaranth. The program includes workshops, tastings, music, and traditional dances.

Local producers emphasized that maintaining amaranth cultivation is vital for food sovereignty and the preservation of biodiversity in the city's conservation soils. They noted that these agricultural areas face ongoing pressure from urban expansion and real estate speculation. Currently, approximately 100 hectares of amaranth are cultivated in the region, with harvests expected to exceed 120 tons by the end of 2026.