NEW MEXICO CHILE ASSOCIATION Presentation

September 13, 2010

Dino Cervantes, NMCA Board

New Mex-ico

California Texas Arizona0

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Chile Peppers, United StatesValue of Production (Thousands of Dollars)

CHILE IN NEW MEXICO

• Chile or Chili? The arguments about the correct spelling are still “heated after all these years. Chile refers to the pods that were first planted by the Spanish along the Rio Grande Valley in the 1600’s.

• Our state question is “Red or Green?” If you want both, then you ask for it “Christmas Style”.

• Our Chile can be very hot or very mild. The flavor is as important as the heat.

• Like other peppers, Chile starts as green and turns to red. Green is harvested first, usually beginning in August and then red is harvested later in the fall.

A 2009 Scientific Consumer Survey conducted by Research and Polling shows that:

• 80% of NM consumers say it is important that the chile they purchase is grown in New Mexico

• 92% of NM chile consumers are concerned about the decline in chile acreage across the state

• 90% of NM chile consumers agree that government officials should do everything in their power to ensure that chile continues to be grown and processed in NM.

SURVEY SAYS….

Deputy U.S. Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan assists New Mexico's District 3 U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan in planting chile peppers at the New Mexico Chile Pepper Fiesta in Washington, D.C

Photo Courtesy of USDA Photo Courtesy of NMDA

Photo Courtesy of USDA

Photo Courtesy of NMDA

WHY IS CHILE SO IMPORTANT TO NEW MEXICO?

1. The industry is composed primarily of rural, family owned farms and companies that export products and bring money into NM.

2. Chile is the heart and soul of NM culture.

3. 5,865 full time jobs and 9,000 part-time jobs*.

4. Contributes $465 Million to the state’s economy*

*2009

FIVE PARTS OF THE NM CHILE INDUSTRY

Dry Red -Made from mature red chile, mostly ground into powder. Used for color enhancement and flavor for meat products, traditional Mexican food dishes and sauces, spices and seasoning.

Oleo Resin -Natural red food coloring agent produced by the extraction of lipids and pigments from the pods of sweet red and dry pepper. Used primarily in meat products and snack foods.

Processed Green - Canned or frozen, whole, chopped and/or used to

make sauce.

Fresh Green - Roasted for consumption or storage

Cayenne Mash- Fermented for key ingredient for hot sauce.

Fresh Green 5%

Fresh Pro-

cessed 41%

Cayenne Mash2%

Red Oleo-resin 31%

Red Spice22%

Dollar Contribution 2009Based on a 57,370,000 Total Farm Value

8/25/10

3,900 acres

1,000 acres

3,200 acres

900acres

Number of Acres Grown in Southern New Mexico in 2009

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New Mexico Chile Industry Value1977-2009

Industry Value

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8/2010

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Chile, Acreage Harvested

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Number of acres of chile grown in New Mexico is down significantly, about ½ of what it was at its peak in the early

1990’s.

CHALLENGES

• Need for Comprehensive Immigration Reform/Skilled Employees

• Cost of Labor

• Lack of Available Automation/Mechanization

• Globalization/Foreign Competition (Imports)

• Disease

STRENGTHS• An industry plan and industry support• State support and resources• NMSU research, talent, and support• Superior product• Demand for US and NM chile; Quality, Safety and

Accountability• Trend against reliance on foreign food• An industry already in place• Knowledge• Huge opportunity, high demand and increased consumption

Photo by Vince Hernandez

• NMCA is a non-profit organization. Our members are processors and growers from throughout New Mexico.

• Purpose is to provide resources and coordinate efforts to ensure the viability and prosperity of NM chile and its related industries.

• To create an environment that reinstates NM and the region as the world leader in chile production, processing, and innovations.

• We enjoy an outstanding and unique industry-university partnership with New Mexico State University.

NEW MEXICO CHILE ASSOCIATION (NMCA)

NMCA (Industry) – UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP

• Mechanization

• Plant breeding

• Disease resistance

• Pathogen detection and prevention

• Fumigation trials

• Industry statistics and information

• Certification

• Surveys

Research, Development and Other Projects

NEW MEXICO CHILE ASSOCIATIONPrincipal Sponsors and Partners

Thank You!

Rezolex, Ltd.

Cervantes Enterprises