“This time of the year, we grow open-field bell peppers along California’s Central Coast,” says Mike Aiton with Prime Time Produce. “For the next six weeks, we will be in our peak season.” The Central Coast is a great area to grow bell peppers because of its cooler temperatures close to the ocean. This results in an end product that is heavier, has thicker walls and has a deeper, dark color. “Consumers buy with their eyes and bright colors tend to drag consumers over to the bell pepper display.”
Unusual weather patterns
“Unusually hot temperatures coupled with periods of heavy rain have seemingly reduced pepper production in California and other growing areas this summer,” mentioned Aiton. “We’ve gone through significant production peaks as well as deep lows.” Bell peppers are grown in about 25 states in the country and there has been no shortage of bad weather throughout the US this year. “Altogether, it’s been a difficult growing season with supplies being more erratic than we had hoped for,” added Aiton.
Prices above average
On August 17, the price of a 15 lbs. box of XL red bell peppers was $18.95. A 15 lbs. box of large green peppers ran at $14.95 and mini sweet peppers were $30.95 for 9/2lbs. bags or 18/1lbs. bags. “These prices are higher than what we typically see in August. However, with the start of peak season, I expect prices to decline slowly, but surely. They will soon enter the retailer’s promotional levels.”
Prime Time grows red, yellow, orange and green bell peppers as well as mini sweet peppers. The company’s peppers are distributed throughout the US and available year-round. The majority is sold in bulk, but bagging equipment is available for retailers who like to sell combination packs with different colors for instance.
