“We’re just getting started with our green chili harvest. The volume is low right now, but we expect it to pick up in the next few weeks,” says Brandon Gillis of Desert Springs Produce. Green chili is one of the biggest crops grown in New Mexico, with the Hatch Certified green chili being known all across the country. “We’re short on labor right now as crews finish harvesting onions. Once the onion harvest ends, we’ll have more labor available to pick chili,” shares Gillis.
Hot summer
Gillis said that labor and weather affect their farm’s supply of chili. “Between July and August, we feel the lack of labor the most. Beginning in September, the weather gets wetter, which affects the health of the chili waiting to be picked. After September, we’re looking at colder weather.” In Hatch, New Mexico, the weather is ideal for growing and harvesting. During the summer of 2016, temperatures were hotter than normal, making it more difficult for the chili to grow and mature normally.
“We sell to retailers, food service and wholesalers. We sell mainly in the southwest, but every year we gain more accounts in the southeast and northeast,” said Gillis. “We’re growing more chili because more and more people are finding they like the taste once they try it.”
“Right now, our two biggest challenges are the labor and weather,” said Gillis. For the past four weeks, daytime temperatures have been in the 100+ F range, which makes the chilis more vulnerable to some illnesses, such as curly top. “As long as our current temperatures don’t go over 100 anymore, we should be fine.”
Contact:
Brandon Gillis
Desert Springs Produce, LLC
Tel: 575-267-4808