Brink of extinction
Sources highlight that chilli cultivation was on the brink of extinction, raising hopes of increased sales of agrochemical products in chilli-producing regions. Traders in the Hubli region of Karnataka have reported significant improvements in chilli cultivation, particularly in Hubli, Vellari, and Bagalkot, where crop quality is notably high. Favorable rainfall has contributed to this success, and the plants remain relatively unscathed by pests and diseases.
The President of the Chilli Export Association, Guntur, predicts that this year’s chilli cultivation area and production will remain on par with the previous year, keeping the stock in major chilli production areas consistent. However, the size of the chilli crop will be contingent on the rainfall during November and December. Currently, the estimated chilli stock in Guntur is approximately 3.5 million bags, weighing 40 kg. Traders estimate the store in Guntur to be around seven million bags. The rest of Andhra Pradesh holds an additional three million bags. In Telangana, the chilli stock is around 2.5 million bags.
Traders are closely monitoring demand from China, the largest buyer of chilli, as it significantly influences prices. Presently, prices remain stable, with various chilli varieties priced between $2,29 to $2,89 per kg. In the 2021-22 season, India’s total red chilli production reached 1.836 million tonnes, cultivated across 882,000 hectares. The green chilli was grown in 427,000 hectares, producing 4.7 million tonnes.