Border Foods Crop Update as of Mid September 2009

Green Chile

Extremely favorable spring weather enabled the New Mexico green chile crop to begin in mid July this year, about a week ahead of normal. This year’s crop is very good both in terms of quality and quantity. With fall rapidly approaching, temperatures are diminishing and what has been a robust pace of chile receipts is beginning to diminish. We will continue to process green chile until the first frost, typically in late October. Supplies of chile over the coming year will be adequate and prices steady.

Jalapenos

Jalapenos have benefited from the same excellent growing conditions that chile received. The supply situation is comfortable now with excellent quantity and a wide distribution of heat levels and varieties. The past week has seen some of the crop lost to hail; at this point the losses are immaterial to a comfortable supply situation.

Within the jalapeno segment, a portion of our jalapenos are of the no heat or sweet varieties. We are finding that no heats are not as available as the hot varieties. With a diverse growing area and a longer growing season, we anticipate that this tightness will not be long lived.

Tomatillo

We typically hold off on processing tomatillos until the chile season has been completed. Current supplies are tight but the situation will be alleviated with planned production in the end of October.
 

If you have further questions about industry, market or company developments on any of our product lines, we welcome your inquiry.