Royal quinoa has been declared to be part of the world's patrinomy. It grows exclusively in the highland areas surrounding the Uyuni Salt Flats. Quinoa played a marginal role in Bolivia for a long period of time but newly elected president Evo Morales began to eat the grain in official events and the UN declared 2013 as International year of Quinoa. Sales of quinoa have risen dramatically in the past 5 years, contributing positively to the countries and the producers' economic well-being.