Likely Increase in Red Chili Sowing Area

26-Jun-2026 03:51 PM

Guntur. The area under red chili cultivation is expected to rise during the current Kharif season, with total acreage likely to reach or slightly exceed the levels seen in the 2024-25 season. High market prices and low carry-over stocks may encourage farmers to expand their sowing areas.

Indications of increased sowing are emerging from top producing states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.

The President of the Guntur-based Chili Exporters Association states that red chili sowing will not be affected by El Niño, as the crop can be cultivated in relatively dry regions. With market prices remaining strong, the acreage across major South Indian producing states and Madhya Pradesh could recover to 2024 levels—a time when red chili cultivation had reached record highs.

However, farmers had reduced the sowing area in 2025 because they did not realize attractive returns from red chili cultivation; the bumper production of the 2024-25 season had caused market prices to soften.

The Association President notes that prices for export-oriented varieties like 'Teja' and 'Armoor' have risen by approximately 30% this year, while popular domestic varieties like 'Number 334' and 'Super 10' have seen a price increase of about 20%. Conversely, prices for varieties widely used by spice processing companies—such as 'DD' and 'Number 341'—have dropped by around 20%.

Sales of red chili powder are somewhat affected during the monsoon season, resulting in a slower pace of whole chili procurement; however, powder manufacturers may show renewed interest in purchasing red chili starting in August.