In the desert areas of California, temperatures are heating up, and so is the bell pepper season. Growers in the Coachella Valley have just begun their bell pepper season, and they are entering a good market, just as supplies begin to taper off in other regions.
"Our green pepper season started two weeks ago and red peppers started today," said John Burton of Peter Rabbit Farms. "We're right in the peak season now for green peppers, which will continue through the middle of June, while red peppers will continue through to July. It's starting to get warm here in the Coachella Valley, with highs of between 100 - 105 degrees for the next ten days or so, which is favorable for bell peppers."
Market heating up
Coachella is now one of the few places in production, and growers have caught a window when regions like Florida and Mexico have slowed down production, and before Georgia begins at the end of the month. "The market started slowly because there were still too many districts in production," Burton explained. "But now they have slowed and the market is heating up."
"Coachella now enjoys the advantage of being the only major growing region in production before Georgia begins," he continued. "There is very good demand for quality bell peppers out of Coachella and we are in a demand exceeds supply situation right now. As a result, prices are up and will continue this way for at least the next few weeks, until volume from Georgia enters the market."
Elongated reds
One of the products that Peter Rabbit Farms offers is the elongated red pepper. These long and slender peppers have a different appearance to the flatter, more square-shaped bell peppers more commonly seen in the market. According to Burton, the elongated peppers have a better flavor.
"The hothouse peppers, which are more blocky, just don't have the same flavor as the elongated red peppers," he said. "They are grown in the field and we also pack them directly in the field to maintain freshness. From there, we send them to the cool room as soon as possible. We're also seeing eggplant coming into season now and quality on those has been outstanding so far. Shortly, the grape season will also commence."
For more information:
John Burton
Peter Rabbit Farms
Tel: +1 (760) 398-0136