Chilli peppers are in steady supply as the market readies itself for a transition period. “Supply right now is at an average level,” says Ely Trujillo with Superior Growers LLC of Las Vegas, Nev. “We won’t see any large changes happening here for a month to a month and a half and then we’ll start changing to a different region.” Right now, peppers are sourced out of Sonora, Mexico and that should switch over to the Baja region of Mexico after that time. He also notes that while Florida likely has some peppers, the majority of chilli peppers are coming from Mexico right now.
“It looks like it will be a smooth transition unless the heat affects things,” notes Trujillo, adding that supplies are steady and on par with last year for Jalapenos, Habanero and Serranos. “There’s a bit more activity on Anaheim, Pasilla and it’s more about finding better product than what’s out there since these fields are producing a product that’s enduring the heat. But it’s nothing out of the ordinary.”
Demand to pick up
Demand has also been steady for peppers though Trujillo anticipates it will pick up by the end of the week in anticipation of Cinco de Mayo. “There are more players supplying Jalapenos though this year. So while demand on our end looks the same, there’s been more production from what we can see on the Mexican side,” he says.
While pricing is also described as steady, the last three weeks have spiked because of a transition. And because of that heavier supply of Jalapenos, their pricing has dropped somewhat. “Some other peppers are also a little lower, but nothing dramatic,” says Trujillo. “Pasilla and Anaheim peppers for example are usually around the $15-$17 range and right now they’re in the $12-$13 range. But that could change at any moment, especially when we go into transition in the next 30-45 days.”
Domestic transition
Looking ahead, transitioning will continue to when California goes into chilli pepper production in May, largely around the Bakersfield area and surrounding central coast region. “It will go into full effect by July and we’ll go until October,” says Trujillo. “And then the transition happens and everyone goes back to Nogales, Ariz. for Mexican peppers.”
For more information:
Ely Trujillo
Superior Growers, LLC
Tel: +1 (702) 509-5076
Ely@SGrowers.com
SGrowers.com