Purple Corn is gaining prominence as a high-value ingredient in food, nutraceutical, and natural colorant markets. Through Nutrada, buyers can connect directly with certified bulk, private-label, and organic Purple Corn producers for reliable supply and documentation.

What Is Purple Corn?

Purple Corn (Zea mays indurata), also known as kʼculli, originates from the Andes and is valued for its deep purple anthocyanin pigments and dense nutritional profile, including protein, starch, and antioxidants.

Types, Varieties & Forms of Purple Corn

In B2B trade, Purple Corn is commonly offered as:

Purple Corn kernels or ground flour, used in beverages, snacks, and bakery.
Anthocyanin‑rich extracts, often standardized to specific pigment levels for use as natural colorants or functional ingredients.
Husks and cobs, which contain significantly higher anthocyanin content than kernels and can be processed for extracts.

Harvest Season of Purple Corn

Harvesting typically aligns with Andean agricultural cycles, generally in autumn, following sufficient ripening of the kernels and anthocyanin development. Proper processing ensures preservation and year‑round availability.

Producing Countries

Purple Corn is primarily grown in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, with its legacy deeply rooted in Andean agriculture. It is exported globally for diverse markets in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Trends

Key market trends include:

Use as a natural colorant in place of synthetic dyes, supported by research into anthocyanin-rich varieties.
Rising demand for functional ingredients, as anthocyanin extracts exhibit antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, anti‑diabetic, and anti‑obesity properties in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Purple Corn Manufacturers

Bulk Purple Corn

Bulk products include whole kernels, flour, or powders in industrial packaging (e.g., 20–25 kg bags or palletized formats). Batch traceability and quality certificates support large-scale food and beverage production.

Private Label Purple Corn

Private-label offerings may include branded flours, extracts, or colorant concentrates, with customizable packaging and compliant labeling, ideal for functional food producers or beverage lines.

Organic Purple Corn

Organic-certified Purple Corn caters to clean-label and premium product segments. Certifications under USDA Organic or EU Organic schemes enhance credibility and meet demand for sustainably sourced colorants or ingredients.