Consumers will not see a drop in the price of hot pepper until the first quarter of 2011. This word comes from Feroze Shah, manager of production and procurement at the T&T Agribusiness Association (TTABA). Shah said TTABA has sold out all of its 600,000 pounds of pepper mash stored at its Point Lisas production facility.
Shah said farmers contracted by TTABA to supply hot peppers have suffered a double blow.
He said the drought in the first half of the year, coupled with flooding, has caused many problems for farmers producing the condiment. Shah said the shortage of peppers was also compounded by farmers who opted to go out of pepper production because prices were too low. Hot peppers are now retailing for $2 per pepper. Before the floods, consumers could have bought 5-10 peppers for one dollar. Peppers are now selling upwards of $1500 for a 100 pound bag.