Chilli production to drop by 15%

Chilli production is expected to be 15 per cent lower this year compared to last year on the back of lower acreage. Production of the spice this year is estimated to be 110,000 tonnes compared to 125,000 tonnes last year. This year, the area under chilli, in major producing area of Andhra Pradesh is 87,428 hectare compared to 106,858 hectare last year. The average sowing area that comes under chilli in Andhra Pradesh is 104,528 hectare. Sowing is impacted as export inquiries for the spice have been lower this year, also the price of chilli is lower this year compared to last year. In the last one year chilli prices have been down by 40.7 per cent to Rs 4,880 per quintal.