Thanks to tight supplies, the bell pepper market is strong in the U.S., ahead of the November Thanksgiving holiday season. At the same time, there is a new ‘hottest pepper’ champ, with 1 million more heat units than its predecessor.

High demand, low supplies

There is currently high demand for green pepper in the U.S., as supplies diminish due to weather events. The state of Georgia remains the last bastion of green bell supplies as it has had fair weather of late. The market price for the state’s green capsicum on October 18, 2023 ranged between $25 and $27 per 1/9 bushel ($2.4 and $2.6/kg).

Mexico, which is still nursing effects of bad weather in its middle growing region is experiencing bell pepper shortage. Hence, Mexico’s pepper array at the Atlanta market on October 18 proved pricey. The cost hovered between $28 and $34.50 per 1/9 bushel ($2.69 and $3.31/kg).

California is also having stunted harvests this season in the wake of rains and tropical storm Hilary. The state is nevertheless expecting to recoup its pepper crop by November 2023. Bell peppers from California cost between $34.50 and $36 per 1/9 bushel ($3.31 and $3.45 per kg) on October 18.

The most expensive capsicum sales on the same date in the Atlanta market was Canadian in origin. It cost an average $23 per 5 kg packets ($4.6 a kilo). Ontario, the origin province of the crop experienced extreme rain and cold in the week ending October 15, 2023.

Further afield, Florida looks forward to a normal bell pepper season this November despite the ruinous effect of Hurricane Idalia. Apparently, areas that grow specialty crops like pepper suffered less damage from heavy rainfall than commercial crop areas.

New hottest pepper Champ: 2.6 million units hot

The above discourse brings to mind the new hottest pepper champion in the world.

Pepper X, a tiny, green-stalked, yellow-colored, wrinkled chili by Ed Currie from South Carolina is 2.69 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) hot.

It overtakes the previous champ, also by Ed Currie, who first grew it in 2013, known as Carolina Reaper. At 1.64 SHU, the Reaper is 20.5 spicier than a jalapeño’s 8000 SHU.

Ed bred Pepper X for a decade on his farm in SC. He ensured it topped Carolina Reaper by interbreeding it with other high capsaicin cultivars.

Eating the pepper raw initially brings a sharp burn in the mouth. Then there is intense pain in the “arms, chest…” This is according to Currie on the Youtube channel ‘Hot Ones,’ where he received his sophomore Guinness World Record crown.