The American "hot food raze"

California leads the nation in bell pepper production

Mild, sweet bell peppers have established themselves as staples in salads and as integral components of almost all sectors of American national and regional cuisine. However, American affection for peppers (Capsicum annuum) is not just limited to the established mild peppers.

The American "hot food craze" is creating increasing demand and local markets for pungent chili pepper condiment products, locally grown fresh peppers and pepper-related productions or products like festivals, clothing, artwork and publications. In the last few years, U.S. consumption of peppers has increased, moving from an average of 12 pounds per person in 2001 to 13 pounds in 2007. During that same time, consumption of bell peppers retereated to 6.8 pounds, matching the consumption rate in 2001.

Pepper production

California leads the nation in bell pepper production (7.0 million cwt* worth $179 million), followed by Florida (4.3 million cwt worth $183.2 million) and Georgia (1.2 million cwt worth $40.2 million). In 2007, 14.7 million cwt of bell peppers were grown, valued at nearly $468.4 million. New Mexico still leads the nation in chili pepper production (1.9 million cwt worth $32.9 million), followed by California (1.8 million cwt worth $61.9 million). In 2007, 4.2 million cwt of chili peppers were grown, valued at nearly $120 million.

According to the USDA, the United States ranked fifth in pepper production in 2007, growing nearly 19 million cwt. With a pepper production of 287 million cwt, China was, by far, the largest producer, followed by Turkey (41 million cwt) and Mexico (37 million cwt).

Revised by Diane Huntrods.

AgMRC, Iowa State University - November 2008

* 1 cwt (hundredweights) = 50.80 kilograms  

*This news is a quote from the「Peppers Today」.