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Why our industry is important to New Mexico:
- Our chile industry is possibly the only industry in which New Mexico is ranked first in the nation.
- We produce the vast majority of chile in the U.S.
- Our industry contributes million to
the states economy.
- Our industry exports most of it's products bringing money into this state.
- Our
industry provides over 2,000 full time and over 10,000 part time jobs to New Mexicans.
- The industry is composed primarily of family owned companies and farms who invest in our
communities
and work to improve them.
- Chile is the heart and soul of New Mexico.
Washington has it's apples, idaho it's potatoes, Floriday its
oranges. New Mexico loves
its chile.
- Our state question is: Red or Green?!
 Industry Issues:
- The NM chile industry is in a steep decline
- 34,500 acres were harvested in NM in 1992; In 2008 only 11,100 acres were harvested in the state
- Foreign competition remains severe
- Foreign
competitors sell red chile cheaper than it costs to grow it in the U.S.
- China is trying to corner the oleoresin market which accounts for 30% of NM chile acreage
- Mexico companies are taking advantage of their reduced regulation and cheap plentiful labor to
take green chile market share
- Imports account for
about 82% U.S. consumption of chile
- Automation is
the only solution for NM to compete in the market
Industry Segments:
Funding and Research News:
The NMCA is currently supporting several types
of research at NMSU with funding received through state appropriations in 2007 and 2008. Each project was chosen
for the contribution it can make to assisting the NM chile industry's immediate needs. For more information on these
efforts and an update on the research please go to the members only area and log-in. Thank you.
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