Production began last week on field bell peppers in Coachella, California. "We have had pretty optimal growing conditions. It has been sustained warmth for longer than normal, even for us, and it's just finally cooling off in the evenings and in the mornings," says Peter Rabbit Farms' Garret Powell, adding that last week, even Monday to Friday, a difference could be seen in how much the heat brought on the maturity of the peppers.
The Peter Rabbit Farms growing team.
That said, this week the high temperatures are expected to settle down following recent temperatures of 95-99°F.
In all, that has helped produce a good-looking crop of plants loaded with peppers. "It's a desert pepper and we're happy to be finally starting," says Powell, saying the supply will be steady. Production of green peppers is expected to stay in this region until December. Red pepper production in Coachella will start this week and go into January, barring a freeze that could stop production earlier.
Supporting the market
Demand is strong, due in part to the hurricanes that hit the southeast earlier this month. "We just hope to supplement the market. We've been getting phone calls and we're realizing that what happened in the southeast has impacted the supply normally seen at this time of year. We can't fully fill the demand that is out there but once we get going, we hope to be able to support them," says Powell.
That demand is also anticipated to stay strong with Thanksgiving and the holiday season ahead, both with green and colored peppers. Processing pepper demand is also expected to be strong.
Pepper demand is anticipated to stay strong with Thanksgiving and the holiday season ahead, both with green and colored peppers.
All of this is also leaving pricing slightly higher than last year's pricing at this time. That said, there's still availability from regions that are normally winding down at this time including Northern California. "It's been warm up and down the state. Typically, they may have a little bit of frost around this time of year and I don't think that's quite happened yet," he says, adding that Coachella will have a window of supply opportunity before Mexico begins its production later this year.
Looking ahead, in about two weeks, Peter Rabbit Farms will also begin its leafy vegetable production.
For more information:
Garret Powell
Peter Rabbit Farms
Tel: +1 (760) 398-0136
[email protected]
https://www.peterrabbitfarms.com/