Caribbean hot sauce producers warn of shortages and higher prices
Summary
Caribbean hot sauce producers, especially in Jamaica, face shortages of Scotch bonnet peppers due to severe weather, disease, and pests. This shortage is causing higher costs and limiting the supply of their popular sauces both locally and for export.Key Facts
- Scotch bonnet peppers are essential for Caribbean hot sauces and are hard to grow because they are sensitive to heavy rain, viruses, and pests.
- Recent hurricanes in Jamaica, including Hurricane Melissa in October and Hurricane Beryl the previous year, severely damaged pepper crops.
- Walkerswood, a major hot sauce maker in Jamaica, exports over 95% of its products, mostly to the US.
- The company has had to cancel orders due to the shortage of fresh Scotch bonnet peppers.
- Some farmers have switched to growing sweet potatoes because they are easier to grow and more profitable.
- Heavy rains not only reduce pepper supply but also affect the heat level and flavor of the sauces.
- Prices for Scotch bonnet peppers increased about 10 times just after Hurricane Melissa due to scarcity.
- Many Jamaican producers are reluctant to replant peppers because of climate change and repeated hurricane damage.
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