Enumamula Agricultural Market Secretary P Nirmala told TNIE that red chilli exports have declined this year. “The primary reason is the change in colour of chillies, which has deterred buyers. This is largely due to excessive pesticide usage. We are educating farmers to reduce pesticide use to maintain the crop’s natural colour,” she said.
Speaking to Express, the former president of the Warangal Chilli Traders Association and owner of Ram Ganesh Trading Company, highlighted the lack of demand from oil companies this season. “Every year, oil companies typically purchase 50% of the Teja variety from the Enumamula Market. However, this year, they haven’t purchased a single quintal,” he said.
He added that arrivals of the 5,531 variety have increased in Karnataka, where prices are even lower, ranging from Rs 11,000 to Rs 12,000 per quintal. The export of Teja, Wonder Hot (WH), and 314 varieties to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai has also decreased due to unattractive prices. “We are hopeful that exports and prices will improve next month,” Sambaiah stated.
Farmers are demanding the state government’s intervention to ensure they receive a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.
“Traders are deciding the prices instead of the market staff. This negligence by market authorities is causing farmers to suffer losses,” said B. Lakshman, a farmer from Gudur Mandal in the Mahabubabad district.
Lakshman urged the state government to step in and ensure fair pricing for farmers to protect their livelihoods.
