The Southwest Chile Pepper Industry

Basic Facts…

The National Pepper Industry is Located Here!

60% of U.S. chile acreage in NM

30% of U.S. chile acreage in TX & AZ

NM is center of pepper processingGreen chileRed chileJalapeñoCayenne

Where is New Mexico chile grown?

76% of acreage in SW New MexicoLuna

Doña Ana

Hidalgo

Sierra

20% of acreage in SE New MexicoChaves

Eddy

Lea

NM Chile Acreage Harvested

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

U.S. Chile Pepper Imports

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

Me

tric

To

ns Fresh Chile

Imports

Dried Chile Imports

Sources of Chile Imports

Fresh chile peppersMexicoProcessed in New Mexico

Dried chile peppersMexicoChinaIndiaSpain

Economic Impact?Doña Ana, Hidalgo, Luna Counties

Vegetable production & processing86% of NM chile production (tons)

5,300 jobs$400 millionMultiplier effects

Important in sustainable crop rotations

New Mexico is the Heart of the U.S. Chile Industry

The Chile Task Force is working to improve the industry’s

competitiveness, profitability & long-term viability