Desi, Wonder Hot Chillies Fetch Record Prices

The indigenous ‘Desi’ variety touched a three-year high of Rs 41,200 per quintal on Tuesday, while ‘Yellow Chilli’ fetched up to Rs 44,000 per quintal. Market officials said such rates had not been recorded in the last three to four years.

The highest price for the Desi variety was secured by a farmer from Kurnool district, who brought around six quintals of premium-quality produce to the market. Traders engaged in competitive bidding, citing superior colour, pungency and overall quality. Officials attributed the price surge to strong export demand and reduced cultivation in major chilli-growing states such as Madhya Pradesh.

Other varieties also saw gains. The ‘Wonder Hot’ variety rose by about Rs 5,000 in a single day to reach Rs 37,100 per quintal on Wednesday. The record price was realised by farmer R. Vinod from Neelampalli village in Palimela mandal of Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, through the Keerthana Adithi commission agency.

Market officials said prices had remained subdued in previous seasons due to poor-quality arrivals. With the pickling season approaching and steady export orders, they said the upward trend was likely to continue. While ‘Teja’ and other hybrid varieties are trading between Rs 19,000 and Rs 20,000 per quintal, officials noted that the premium commanded by Desi and Wonder Hot varieties reflected strong demand for quality produce with specific spice characteristics.