Teja variety of red chilli high in demand abroad

Despite huge international demand, farmers are unable to recover investment due to rising costs, rue farmers

The burgeoning demand for the popular Teja variety of red chilli, famous for its culinary, medicinal and other wide-ranging uses, in the export market is proving to be a boon for the Khammam Agriculture Market, housing Telangana’s second largest chilli market yard, in the district headquarters town of Khammam.

Khammam district, the largest producer of Teja variety of red chilli, is the leading exporter of the pungent fruit which is not only known for its culinary purpose as a flavouring agent to spice up various delicacies but as a main ingredient in making pepper spray. The huge demand for Oleoresin, a natural chilli extract, is mainly driving the export of Teja variety of red chilli from Khammam district to various spice processing industries in several Asian countries.

The Mudigonda-based Oleoresin extraction firm of a Chinese company is engaged in export of the by product to its clients, sources said.

Teja variety of red chilli is being exported to China, Bangladesh and a few other south Asian countries from Khammam mainly through the Chennai port.

The volume of exports of the commodity is picking up in tune with growing requirements of the spice processing industries and other allied units engaged in production of value-added products like sauce and pickles.

The paste extracted from the pungent fruit is also in demand for its use as a protective layer beneath ships in some of the Asian countries, sources added.

The export of Teja variety of red chilli is expected to grow from the present ₹2000 crore per annum to ₹2500 crore next year, Khammam Agriculture Market Secretary R Mallesham told The Hindu.