United States International Trade Commission

Investigation No. 332-351

USITC Publication 4049

November 2008

Monitoring of U.S. 

Imports of Peppers
Address all communications to 

Secretary to the Commission 

United States International Trade Commission 

Washington, DC 20436

U.S. International Trade Commission

Director, Office of Industries

Karen Laney-Cummings

Director of Operations

Robert A. Rogowsky

COMMISSIONERS 

 

Shara L. Aranoff, Chairman 

Daniel R. Pearson, Vice Chairman 

Deanna Tanner Okun 

Charlotte R. Lane 

Irving A. Williamson 

Dean A. Pinkert
U.S. International Trade Commission

Washington, DC 20436 

www.usitc.gov

Publication 4049 November 2008

Monitoring of U.S. Imports of Peppers

Investigation No. 332-351
This report was prepared principally by the Office of Industries 

Project Leader 

Brendan A. Lynch 

brendan.lynch@usitc.gov

and 

Timothy P. McCarty 

timothy.mccarty@usitc.gov

With assistance from 

Phyllis Boone 

Office of Publishing 

Under the direction of 

Jonathan R. Coleman, Chief 

Agriculture and Fisheries Division 
 1

 Nothing in this report should be construed to indicate how the Commission would find in an

investigation conducted under other statutory authority covering the same or similar subject matter. 

v

Preface

Section 316 of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (NAFTA

Implementation Act), Public Law 103-182, requires the U.S. International Trade

Commission (Commission) to monitor U.S. imports of “fresh or chilled tomatoes” and “fresh

or chilled peppers, other than chili peppers,” until January 1, 2009. In response, the

Commission instituted investigation No. 332-350, Monitoring of U.S. Imports of Tomatoes,

and investigation No. 332-351, Monitoring of U.S. Imports of Peppers, under section 332(g)

of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).1

This report on the Commission’s monitoring investigation covers peppers for fresh-market

use and for processing. The purpose of this monitoring, as expressed in the NAFTA

Implementation Act, is to enable the Commission to conduct an expedited investigation

concerning provisional import relief and, if appropriate, recommend to the President

provisional relief, should a petition for such relief be filed under section 202 of the Trade Act

of 1974 with respect to imports from all countries, or a petition requesting such relief be filed

under section 302 of the NAFTA Implementation Act with respect to imports from Canada

or Mexico. Generally, such provisional relief would remain in effect, pending completion

of the investigation by the Commission and the taking of final action by the President.

This report contains statistical information gathered by the Commission on the U.S. pepper

industry in the course of its monitoring. This information includes (1) consumption and trade

data (including U.S. imports and U.S. exports) and (2) other industry data (including U.S.

production quantity, value, unit value, and harvested area; U.S. cost-of-production estimates;

shipments; quantities available at major shipping points; and average U.S. shipping-point

prices). The information presented in this report on the U.S. pepper industry was obtained

from a number of sources, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S.

Department of Commerce, and various State agencies.

This report principally includes 2003–07 calendar year data but also includes July-June cropyear data. Because U.S. production data are not available on a crop-year basis, calendar-year

data are necessary to calculate domestic consumption. Interim year data for 2007 and 2008

are provided for imports and exports. Import and pricing data are presented on a crop-year

and on a monthly basis in order to provide the most recent trade data available. Such data are

especially useful for highlighting industry activities during the winter production season (i.e.,

October-June) when imports, mostly from Mexico, are at the highest level of the year and

Florida producers account for the bulk of domestic production. Data on Florida production

are maintained primarily on a crop-year basis.

vii

ABSTRACT

U.S. consumption of fresh-market peppers increased steadily between 2003–06, before

declining in 2007. Despite a slight increase between 2003 and 2004, production of fresh

market peppers declined steadily during the 2004–07 period. Imports rose consistently

between 2003 and 2007 and accounted for an increasing share of consumption during the

period. Imports from Mexico and Canada have risen in recent years. An increase in

greenhouse-growing facilities in each of the three NAFTA member countries has spurred

trade among the NAFTA countries by allowing for the shipment of fresh peppers during

those seasons when outdoor production is usually reduced or nonexistent because of weather.

The bulk of the imports from Mexico continue to be field-grown peppers and they continue

to be entered principally through Arizona. By contrast, the bulk of the imports from Canada

are greenhouse-grown peppers that are grown in Ontario and British Columbia, and enter

mainly through the customs districts nearest to those Canadian production areas. U.S.

exports remain small relative to U.S. production and consumption. U.S. exports to Canada

have declined slightly in volume as production in Canada, traditionally the largest market

for U.S. exports, has accounted for a greater share of its domestic market consumption. U.S.

imports of processed peppers inceased steadily between 2003–07. Exports of processed

peppers are not separately reported.

ix

CONTENTS

Page

Preface .................................................................. v

Abstract. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

Highlights .............................................................. 1

Tables:

Market Overview ..................................................... 3

 1. Fresh-market peppers: U.S. production, exports of domestic merchandise, imports

for consumption, apparent consumption, and ratio of imports to consumption,

2003–07 .............................................................. 4

 2. Processed peppers: U.S. production and imports for consumption, 2003–07 .......... 5

Trade ........................................................................ 7

 3. Fresh-market peppers: U.S. exports of domestic merchandise, by principal

markets, 2003–07, January-June 2007, and January-June 2008 ................... 8

 4. Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption, by principal sources, 

2003–07, January-June 2007, and January-June 2008 .......................... 9

 5. Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption from Mexico, by months

and by major customs districts of entry, July 2005-June 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

 6. Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption from Canada, by months

and by major customs districts of entry, July 2005-June 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

 7. Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption from the Netherlands, by

months and by major customs districts of entry, July 2005-June 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

 8. Processed peppers: U.S. imports for consumption, by principal sources, 

2003–07, January-June 2007, and January-June 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Production and Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

 9. Fresh-market peppers: U.S. production quantity, value, and unit value, and 

harvested area, by selected states, 2003–07 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

10. Estimated production costs for fresh-market peppers grown in Florida, by

production area and by average cost per acre, 2004–05 and 2005–06 crop-years . . . . . 19
x

CONTENTS—Continued

Page

Tables—Continued

Shipments, Quantities Available, and Prices . . . . . . . . . . 21

11. Fresh-market peppers: Shipments, by major suppliers and by months, 2005–07 . . . . . 22

12. Fresh-market peppers: Quantities available at major shipping points, by sources,

 by U.S. transportation modes, and by weeks, 2007–08 crop-year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

13. Fresh-market peppers: Average range of shipping-point prices f.o.b. California, by

color, by size, and by weeks, 2007–08 crop-year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

14. Fresh-market peppers: Average range of shipping-point prices for border-crossings

of bell-type peppers from Mexico, f.o.b. Nogales, AZ, by color, by size, and by

weeks, 2007–08 crop-year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

15. Fresh-market peppers: Average range of shipping-point prices for green peppers

from Florida, f.o.b. Central and South Florida, by size and by weeks, 2006–07

and 2007–08 crop-years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

16. Fresh-market peppers: Range of Chicago terminal market prices for field-grown, 

 bell-type green peppers, by suppliers and by weeks, 2007–08 crop-year . . . . . . . . 27

17. Fresh-market peppers: Range of New York terminal market prices for field-grown,

extra-large bell-type peppers, by color, by supplier, and by weeks, 2007–08

crop-year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

18. Fresh-market peppers: Range of Los Angeles terminal market prices for field-grown,

extra-large bell-type peppers, by color, by supplier, and by weeks, 2007–08

crop-year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
1

Highlights

The following are highlights of the statistical data collected on peppers for fresh-market use

and for processing for the 2003–07 period.

Fresh-market Peppers

! Apparent U.S. consumption of fresh-market peppers declined by 3 percent in volume from

952,650 metric tons in 2006 to 926,054 metric tons in 2007 (table 1). Apparent consumption was

valued at $906 million in 2007, down by 4 percent from $944 million in 2006. In 2007, the ratio of

import volume to consumption volume was 36 percent, an increase from 34 percent in the previous

year, a change that appears to be due to a drop in U.S. production. The ratio of imports to

consumption by value rose to 59 percent in 2007 from 54 percent in 2006 (table 1) as U.S. exports

grew faster than imports and U.S. production declined. 

! U.S. production volume of fresh-market peppers fell by 4 percent from an estimated

691,412 metric tons ($512 million) in 2006 to 665,738 metric tons ($468 million) in 2007 (table 1).

Unit values of production also fell from $740 per metric ton in 2006 to $704 per metric ton in 2007.

California and Florida accounted for 48 percent and 30 percent, respectively, of total U.S. production

volume in 2007 (table 9). U.S. harvested area for peppers totaled 54,300 acres in 2007, down slightly

from 54,600 harvested acres in 2006, as a significant acreage increase in Florida was offset by a

comparable decrease in California (table 9).

! U.S. exports of fresh-market peppers increased by 9 percent from 63,591 metric tons in 2006 to

69,178 metric tons in 2007 (table 3). The value of U.S. exports increased by 20 percent from

$81.0 million in 2006 to $97.4 million in 2007. Canada remained the leading foreign market for U.S.

exports in recent years, accounting for 95 percent of U.S. exports by both volume and value in 2007

(table 3). U.S. export volume was up by 1 percent—and export value up by 8 percent—during

January-June 2008 as compared with January-June 2007 (table 3).

! U.S. imports of fresh-market peppers increased by 1 percent in volume from 324,829 metric tons in

2006 to 329,494 metric tons in 2007. Imports continued to rise in 2008, increasing by 3 percent

during January-June of 2008 as compared with the same period in 2007 (table 4). Mexico accounted

for 72 percent by volume of total imports of fresh-market peppers in 2007. Other important foreign

suppliers in 2007 included Canada and the Netherlands (table 4). The bulk of imports from Canada

and the Netherlands are believed to be higher-value, greenhouse-grown peppers with average unit

values often about two times the unit values of the largely lower-priced, primarily field-grown green

peppers from Mexico. 

! U.S. imports of fresh-market peppers from Mexico amounted to 242,781 metric tons during the

July 2007-June 2008 crop-year, a 10 percent increase from 220,923 metric tons during the July 2006-

June 2007 crop-year (table 5). The bulk of U.S. fresh-market peppers imported from Mexico entered

through the Nogales, AZ customs district, principally during November through the following May,

coinciding with the peak production period in Florida. Imports from Canada and the Netherlands

have been greatest during June-October when Florida production is normally low (tables 6 and 7),

although imports from Canada have increased during May-June when Florida is still producing and

when domestic production in California and other states is usually high.
2

! Annual U.S. shipments of fresh market peppers from Florida were down by 12 percent during

calendar year 2007 from those in 2006 while shipments from California rose by 27 percent from

calendar year 2006 to calendar year 2007. Increased shipments from Canada were offset by a slight

decrease in Mexican shipments (table 11). Average shipping-point prices for large green peppers

from Florida ranged from $8.35 to $16.85 per carton in January 2008 as compared with prices

ranging from $6.85 to $14.85 per carton in January 2007, likely the result of lower production levels

in Florida during the July 2007–June 2008 crop-year (table 15).

Processed Peppers

! U.S. production of processed (i.e., canned) peppers declined by 4 percent from an estimated

20,742 metric tons in 2006 to 19,972 metric tons in 2007 (table 2). U.S. imports of processed peppers

rose by 20 percent from 25,136 metric tons in 2006 to 30,274 metric tons in 2007 (table 2). Imports

of processed peppers amounted to 14,520 metric tons during January-June 2008, up by 12 percent

from those entered during the corresponding period of January-June 2007 (table 8). Spain was the

primary foreign supplier, accounting for 28 percent by volume of U.S. imports, in 2007, but held a

declining market share due to increased imports from Peru. Since 2006 Peru has been the secondlargest supplier with imports amounting to 6,985 metric tons in 2007. Mexico, Turkey, Greece, and

Chile were other important suppliers in recent years. 
3

MARKET OVERVIEW
4

TABLE 1 Fresh-market peppers: U.S. production, exports of domestic merchandise, imports for consumption,

apparent consumption, and ratio of imports to consumption, 2003–07

Year Productiona Exportsb Importsc

Apparent

consumption

Ratio of imports

to consumption

Quantity (mt) Percentage

2003 731,101 72,084 245,700 904,717 27

2004 743,892 73,008 258,071 928,955 28

2005 727,382 70,757 295,993 952,618 31

2006 691,412 63,591 324,829 952,650 34

2007 665,738 69,178 329,494 926,054 36

Value (1,000 $)

2003 494,663 79,241 338,730 754,152 45

2004 516,956 88,022 436,968 865,902 50

2005 534,703 90,359 450,777 895,121 50

2006 511,978 81,042 513,190 944,126 54

2007 468,387 97,371 535,376 906,392 59

Unit value ($/mt)

d

2003 677 1,099 1,379 834 165

2004 695 1,206 1,693 932 182

2005 735 1,277 1,523 940 162

2006 740 1,274 1,580 991 159

2007 704 1,408 1,625 979 166

Source: Production data estimated by Commission staff from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Vegetables, 2005 Summary: January 2006, Vg 1-2(06),

27; 2006 Summary: January 2007, Vg 1-2(07), 27; and 2007 Summary: January 2008, Vg 1-2(08), 28; exports and

imports compiled from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, except as noted.

Note: Production data are revised annually and figures for the more recent calendar years may not match data

presented in earlier reports.

Note: Production data are estimated from raw product intended for fresh-market use and for processing, whereas

export and import data are shipments of fresh-market peppers actually recorded. Thus, apparent consumption may

be somewhat smaller and the ratio of imports to consumption somewhat larger than shown. 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

a

Data are for bell peppers intended for fresh-market use and for processing (data are not reported separately for

each end-use) on a fresh-weight basis, and are converted from pounds to metric tons using a factor of

2,204.62 pounds per metric ton. b

Data are for fresh or chilled peppers including bell and other peppers (Schedule B No. 0709.60.0000) on a freshweight basis. c

Data are for fresh or chilled peppers other than chili peppers (Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheading

0709.60.40) on a fresh-weight basis. d

Calculated by Commission staff using rounded numbers.
5

TABLE 2 Processed peppers: U.S. production and imports for consumption, 2003–07

Year Productiona Importsb

Quantity (mt)

2003 21,933 20,287

2004 22,317 21,439

2005 21,821 22,968

2006 20,742 25,136

2007 19,972 30,274

Value (1,000 $)

2003 (c

) 21,625

2004 (c

) 27,616

2005 (c

) 31,644

2006 (c

) 36,823

2007 (c

) 43,241

Unit value ($/mt)d

2003 (c) 1,066

2004 (c

) 1,288

2005 (c

) 1,378

2006 (c

) 1,465

2007 (c

) 1,428

Source: Production data estimated by Commission staff from official statistics of the USDA, NASS, Vegetables,

2005 Summary: January 2006, Vg 1-2(06), 27; 2006 Summary: January 2007, Vg 1-2(07), 27; and 2007

Summary: January 2007, Vg 1-2(08), 28; imports compiled from official statistics of the U.S. Department of

Commerce, except as noted.

Note: Data on exports of processed peppers are not separately reported.

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

a

Data are estimated to be the equivalent of 3 percent of production for all uses (on a fresh-weight basis) and are

converted from pounds to metric tons using a factor of 2,204.62 pounds per metric ton. b

Data are for prepared or preserved peppers (HTS subheadings 2005.99.50 and statistical reporting numbers

2005.99.5510) on a processed-weight basis. Prior to 2007, prepared or preserved peppers were classified in HTS

subheading 2005.90.50 and statistical reporting number 2005.90.5510. c

Not available.

d

Calculated by Commission staff using rounded numbers.

7

TRADE
8

TABLE 3 Fresh-market peppers: U.S. exports of domestic merchandise,a by principal markets, 2003–07,

January-June 2007, and January-June 2008

Market 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

January-June

2007

January-June

2008

Quantity (mt)

Canada 66,767 65,182 64,259 60,231 65,590 36,882 36,083

Mexico 3,125 5,477 3,456 1,089 1,674 361 1,452

Japan 678 598 944 823 782 317 398

Bahamas 160 250 198 264 284 95 108

Norway 88 82 95 122 168 58 30

Netherlands 839 816 952 388 155 92 0

United Kingdom 45 89 51 65 89 26 42

Ireland 25 33 34 41 87 12 33

All other 357 481 767 567 349 126 288

Total 72,084 73,008 70,757 63,591 69,178 37,970 38,433

Value (1,000 $)

Canada 73,401 79,244 83,762 76,388 92,698 55,027 57,892

Mexico 2,764 5,140 2,260 1,316 1,990 467 1,888

Japan 840 831 1,108 996 986 411 515

Bahamas 178 419 300 411 365 125 185

Norway 175 170 190 203 280 94 53

Netherlands 1,216 1,331 1,384 598 212 125 0

United Kingdom 84 137 88 98 187 41 76

Ireland 34 47 42 57 90 17 35

All other 551 704 1,226 975 564 217 541

Total 79,241 88,022 90,359 81,042 97,371 56,524 61,186

Unit value ($/mt)

b

Canada 1,099 1,216 1,304 1,268 1,413 1,492 1,604

Mexico 884 939 654 1,208 1,188 1,295 1,300

Japan 1,239 1,390 1,173 1,211 1,260 1,296 1,297

Bahamas 1,113 1,677 1,513 1,554 1,286 1,317 1,713

Norway 1,989 2,074 1,999 1,664 1,667 1,621 1,767

Netherlands 1,449 1,632 1,454 1,543 1,364 1,359 -

United Kingdom 1,862 1,539 1,722 1,508 2,101 1,577 1,810

Ireland 1,360 1,424 1,235 1,387 1,032 1,417 1,061

All other 1,543 1,463 1,598 1,720 1,615 1,722 1,878

Weighted average 1,099 1,206 1,277 1,274 1,408 1,489 1,592

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, except as

noted.

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

a

Data are for fresh or chilled peppers other than chili peppers (Schedule B No. 0709.60.0000) on a 

fresh-weight basis. b

Calculated by Commission staff using rounded numbers.
9

TABLE 4 Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption,a by principal sources, 2003–07, January-June 2007,

and January-June 2008

Source 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

January-June

2007

January-June

2008

Quantity (mt)

Mexico 164,741 180,366 210,674 234,737 238,012 172,796 177,565

Canada 42,554 44,428 55,870 63,313 71,261 18,995 20,876

Israel 10,142 8,811 4,339 3,086 1,983 1,541 543

Dominican Republic 2,004 1,865 2,120 3,405 3,435 2,337 2,567

EU-25:

Netherlands 22,864 19,879 20,169 16,209 9,569 4,449 3,010

Spain 2,351 1,955 1,813 2,324 672 211 300

Belgium 450 372 654 638 148 94 37

All other 27 0 13 0 2 0 3

Subtotal 25,692 22,206 22,649 19,170 10,391 4,754 3,350

All other 567 395 341 1,118 4,412 2,020 3,786

Total 245,700 258,071 295,993 324,829 329,494 202,443 208,687

Value (1,000 $)

Mexico 158,147 250,021 262,371 289,488 313,455 242,732 231,519

Canada 78,661 91,262 115,751 151,704 169,617 67,268 78,197

Israel 27,049 27,778 12,781 8,950 6,688 5,138 1,801

Dominican Republic 1,706 2,145 2,464 4,332 5,222 3,422 3,785

EU-25:

Netherlands 63,735 56,544 50,046 47,909 28,191 13,388 8,939

Spain 6,891 7,011 4,677 6,054 1,801 657 865

Belgium 1,391 1,246 1,789 1,590 455 283 131

All other 27 0 37 0 5 0 15

Subtotal 72,044 64,800 56,549 55,552 30,452 14,327 9,950

All other 1,123 962 861 3,164 9,942 4,719 7,456

Total 338,730 436,968 450,777 513,190 535,376 337,607 332,708

Unit value ($/mt)

b

Mexico 960 1,386 1,245 1,233 1,317 1,405 1,304

Canada 1,848 2,054 2,072 2,396 2,380 3,541 3,746

Israel 2,667 3,153 2,946 2,900 3,373 3,334 3,316

Dominican Republic 851 1,150 1,162 1,272 1,520 1,464 1,475

EU-25:

Netherlands 2,787 2,844 2,481 2,956 2,946 3,009 2,970

Spain 2,932 3,586 2,580 2,605 2,680 3,112 2,879

Belgium 3,092 3,349 2,735 2,493 3,075 3,012 3,541

All other 1,000 - 2,846 - 2,500 - 5,000

Weighted average 2,804 2,918 2,497 2,898 2,931 3,014 2,971

All other 1,981 2,433 2,525 2,832 2,253 2,336 1,969

Weighted average 1,379 1,693 1,523 1,580 1,625 1,668 1,594

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, except as noted.

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

Note: Sudden changes in unit values of some suppliers are believed to result in part from the entry of lower- or

higher-valued peppers into the market.

Note: Imports in 2008 enter at the MFN rate of 4.7 cents per kilogram or free or at reduced rates pursuant to the

Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), African Growth of Opportunity Act (AGOA), Caribbean Basin Economic

Recovery Act (CBERA), the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), the North American Free

Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement

Implementation Act (DR-CAFTA), the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement (Australia), the United StatesBahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Bahrain), United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (Chile),

United States-Israel Free Trade Area (Israel), United States-Jordan Free Trade Area Implementation Act (Jordan),

United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Morocco), and United States-Singapore Free

Trade Agreement (Singapore).

a

Data are for fresh or chilled peppers other than chili peppers (HTS subheading 0709.60.40) on a fresh-weight

basis. b

Calculated by Commission staff using rounded numbers.
10

TABLE 5 Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption from Mexico,a by months and by major customs

districts of entry, July 2005-June 2008

Period Nogales Laredo Detroit San Diego All other Total

Quantity (mt)

2005

July 37 254 7 589 4 891

Aug. 11 52 0 311 2 375

Sept. 11 210 0 683 9 912

Oct. 562 709 9 3,440 4 4,725

Nov. 7,564 1,664 97 5,665 13 15,004

Dec. 31,788 1,692 70 3,325 67 36,943

2006

Jan. 48,677 1,941 297 2,889 39 53,844

Feb. 42,628 1,432 317 1,125 97 45,599

Mar. 36,484 1,622 251 1,573 86 40,015

Apr. 22,107 1,317 94 4,263 22 27,803

May 10,454 693 36 4,235 40 15,457

June 1,797 347 25 1,682 41 3,892

Total 202,120 11,933 1,203 29,780 424 245,460

2006

July 17 221 8 982 34 1,262

Aug. 10 148 15 618 32 823

Sept. 238 251 1 479 23 993

Oct. 823 957 30 780 27 2,618

Nov. 5,933 1,565 86 4,649 27 12,260

Dec. 24,947 1,705 184 3,296 39 30,171

2007

Jan. 37,297 1,725 460 3,446 52 42,980

Feb. 36,353 1,295 613 2,666 57 40,985

Mar. 36,098 1,177 512 1,576 56 39,419

Apr. 24,358 917 149 3,476 60 28,959

May 10,310 580 204 4,089 39 15,222

June 1,969 479 15 2,746 22 5,231

Total 178,353 11,020 2,277 28,803 468 220,923

2007

July 28 163 6 1,949 8 2,154

Aug. 388 117 22 1,040 9 1,576

Sept. 316 494 63 997 10 1,880

Oct. 1,062 1,360 253 2,282 36 4,993

Nov. 7,701 1,804 398 7,926 64 17,893

Dec. 29,328 2,007 675 4,670 40 36,720

2008

Jan. 35,506 2,464 806 3,409 75 42,260

Feb. 37,021 2,041 826 1,752 46 41,686

Mar. 39,442 2,096 833 1,006 27 43,404

Apr. 21,097 1,588 220 1,228 1 24,134

May 13,779 1,683 161 5,684 0 21,308

June 1,751 509 29 2,447 37 4,773

Total 187,419 16,326 4,292 34,390 354 242,781

See footnote at end of table.
11

TABLE 5—Continued Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption from Mexico,a by months and by

major customs districts of entry, July 2005-June 2008

Period Nogales Laredo Detroit San Diego All other Total

Value (1,000 $)

2005

July 40 182 24 624 12 881

Aug. 11 44 0 226 5 286

Sept. 11 440 0 400 29 880

Oct. 800 965 31 1,461 7 3,264

Nov. 12,845 1,637 371 2,756 35 17,644

Dec. 50,422 2,102 303 2,041 200 55,067

2006

Jan. 80,267 2,514 1,133 1,436 123 85,472

Feb. 52,411 2,040 1,114 519 299 56,384

Mar. 39,279 2,147 911 860 242 43,438

Apr. 27,641 1,808 428 1,531 73 31,482

May 14,691 871 112 1,645 93 17,412

June 2,376 582 93 1,189 117 4,357

Total 280,794 15,332 4,520 14,688 1,235 316,567

2006

July 11 323 30 778 94 1,236

Aug. 9 283 58 774 84 1,208

Sept. 415 295 4 513 74 1,301

Oct. 1,220 1,276 109 555 84 3,244

Nov. 8,061 1,764 346 2,483 81 12,735

Dec. 26,342 1,871 788 2,097 121 31,219

2007

Jan. 62,407 1,731 1,918 1,640 231 67,927

Feb. 48,827 1,405 2,628 1,250 251 54,361

Mar. 50,999 1,521 2,256 833 264 55,873

Apr. 38,084 1,112 654 1,411 284 41,545

May 14,527 594 819 1,867 157 17,964

June 2,444 423 60 2,049 87 5,063

Total 253,346 12,598 9,670 16,250 1,812 293,676

2007

July 41 195 20 1,847 30 2,133

Aug. 189 161 72 1,015 22 1,459

Sept. 469 538 251 1,048 39 2,345

Oct. 1,304 1,824 1,023 1,730 140 6,021

Nov. 8,264 2,184 1,665 5,923 206 18,242

Dec. 31,181 2,664 3,006 3,543 130 40,524

2008

Jan. 47,833 3,002 3,335 2,789 247 57,206

Feb. 54,798 2,793 3,019 1,529 141 62,280

Mar. 41,161 2,704 3,246 809 91 48,011

Apr. 28,657 2,165 814 673 5 32,314

May 21,503 2,235 709 2,296 0 26,743

June 2,615 691 113 1,537 8 4,964

Total 238,015 21,156 17,273 24,739 1,059 302,242

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, except as

noted.

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

Note: Monthly “all other” data and monthly totals for all customs districts are rounded from the actual data reported;

crop-year customs districts totals for each district are calculated using rounded data totals.

a

Data are for fresh or chilled peppers other than chili peppers (HTS subheading 0709.60.40) on a fresh-weight

basis.
12

TABLE 6 Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption from Canada,a by months and by major customs

districts of entry, July 2005-June 2008

Period Detroit Seattle Buffalo Ogdensburg All other Total

Quantity (mt)

2005

July 3,082 2,097 649 30 46 5,904

Aug. 4,850 2,627 1,835 2,111 37 11,459

Sept. 3,952 1,809 3,022 3,331 9 12,123

Oct. 3,107 1,459 2,739 620 7 7,932

Nov. 1,983 742 328 0 1 3,054

Dec. 697 114 98 0 0 908

2006

Jan. 118 69 11 0 0 198

Feb. 91 12 7 0 0 110

Mar. 788 51 204 0 13 1,056

Apr. 2,125 822 710 0 34 3,691

May 3,254 1,521 714 0 20 5,509

June 3,693 2,296 874 17 14 6,893

Total 27,740 13,619 11,191 6,109 181 58,837

2006

July 3,861 1,697 762 15 5 6,339

Aug. 6,160 2,084 3,360 1,907 14 13,525

Sept. 4,302 1,616 2,945 3,669 41 12,573

Oct. 3,957 1,548 3,931 879 4 10,319

Nov. 1,590 716 300 21 0 2,628

Dec. 356 65 51 0 0 472

2007

Jan. 57 0 10 0 0 67

Feb. 17 0 4 0 0 21

Mar. 674 52 273 0 0 1,000

Apr. 2,639 821 706 0 7 4,173

May 3,651 1,546 810 9 15 6,033

June 4,592 2,177 915 13 5 7,702

Total 31,856 12,322 14,067 6,513 93 64,852

2007

July 4,269 2,489 1,044 16 5 7,822

Aug. 7,439 1,891 4,127 1,154 14 14,625

Sept. 7,146 1,434 4,458 2,599 1 15,638

Oct. 4,844 1,422 3,461 732 4 10,463

Nov. 2,209 368 595 32 2 3,206

Dec. 422 23 44 20 2 511

2008

Jan. 20 0 2 0 0 22

Feb. 56 0 3 0 0 60

Mar. 611 37 205 0 0 853

Apr. 3,395 1,226 878 0 4 5,503

May 3,537 2,142 716 0 39 6,434

June 4,844 2,205 908 0 46 8,003

Total 38,792 13,237 16,441 4,553 116 73,140

See footnote at end of table.
13

TABLE 6—Continued Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption from Canada,a by months and by

major customs districts of entry, July 2005-June 2008

Period Detroit Seattle Buffalo Ogdensburg All other Total

Value (1,000 $)

2005

July 8,498 5,777 1,512 25 46 15,858

Aug. 7,159 6,717 1,328 1,189 36 16,429

Sept. 5,772 4,858 1,929 2,456 7 15,022

Oct. 5,892 3,727 1,700 413 7 11,739

Nov. 5,869 2,064 626 0 2 8,560

Dec. 2,671 324 267 0 0 3,261

2006

Jan. 496 179 49 0 0 724

Feb. 381 31 26 0 0 439

Mar. 3,105 148 678 0 13 3,944

Apr. 7,504 2,337 2,210 0 39 12,090

May 10,612 4,478 2,300 0 65 17,456

June 11,908 7,179 2,877 40 50 22,054

Total 69,867 37,819 15,502 4,123 265 127,576

2006

July 12,955 5,654 2,547 25 17 21,198

Aug. 12,414 6,440 3,326 1,353 54 23,587

Sept. 9,626 5,125 2,636 2,967 102 20,456

Oct. 10,555 4,599 2,577 694 16 18,442

Nov. 6,196 2,391 1,019 16 0 9,621

Dec. 1,331 176 185 0 0 1,692

2007

Jan. 257 0 41 0 0 298

Feb. 70 0 19 0 0 89

Mar. 2,759 197 1,122 0 0 4,080

Apr. 8,859 2,501 2,689 0 33 14,081

May 14,084 5,147 3,160 5 67 22,463

June 16,507 6,721 2,949 54 26 26,257

Total 95,613 38,951 22,270 5,114 316 162,264

2007

July 13,369 7,412 3,104 10 20 23,915

Aug. 14,231 5,840 4,050 679 16 24,816

Sept. 13,608 4,319 3,663 1,983 8 23,581

Oct. 10,097 4,437 3,373 536 20 18,463

Nov. 7,189 1,257 1,320 50 9 9,825

Dec. 1,490 77 143 34 6 1,750

2008

Jan. 88 0 5 0 0 93

Feb. 235 3 13 0 0 251

Mar. 2,440 108 873 0 4 3,425

Apr. 12,491 3,962 3,313 0 23 19,789

May 14,931 7,875 3,219 0 168 26,193

June 17,627 7,317 3,316 0 187 28,447

Total 107,796 42,607 26,392 3,292 460 180,548

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, except as

noted.

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

Note: Monthly “all other” data and monthly totals for all customs districts are rounded from the actual data reported;

crop-year customs districts totals for each district are calculated using rounded data totals.

a

Data are for fresh or chilled peppers other than chili peppers (HTS subheading 0709.60.40) on a fresh-weight

basis.
14

TABLE 7 Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption from the Netherlands,a by months and by major

customs districts of entry, July 2005-June 2008

Period New York Boston Los Angeles Chicago Washington All other Total

Quantity (mt)

2005

July 1,929 365 244 478 168 376 3,560

Aug. 2,140 406 191 300 167 289 3,493

Sept. 1,820 367 179 355 89 154 2,964

Oct. 1,200 292 129 317 115 109 2,162

Nov. 840 238 68 240 124 142 1,651

Dec. 191 51 5 68 47 68 430

2006

Jan. 17 2 1 0 0 7 27

Feb. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Mar. 36 20 11 35 10 4 116

Apr. 316 58 51 105 41 15 586

May 857 313 100 365 78 103 1,816

June 1,332 250 201 318 65 136 2,302

Total 10,678 2,362 1,180 2,581 904 1,403 19,107

2006

July 1,793 367 291 654 121 212 3,438

Aug. 1,321 277 249 491 105 88 2,531

Sept. 1,177 208 192 320 68 88 2,053

Oct. 849 161 191 157 84 82 1,524

Nov. 759 328 146 245 130 139 1,747

Dec. 50 5 0 0 0 12 67

2007

Jan. 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

Feb. 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

Mar. 30 0 2 14 0 1 47

Apr. 98 17 37 45 5 9 211

May 1,437 352 88 381 72 85 2,415

June 1,270 160 141 135 39 29 1,774

Total 8,786 1,875 1,337 2,442 624 745 15,809

2007

July 855 123 152 84 25 21 1,261

Aug. 1,193 177 141 48 27 19 1,605

Sept. 962 145 163 23 37 20 1,349

Oct. 499 76 102 3 2 8 691

Nov. 108 24 59 2 0 6 199

Dec. 12 0 0 0 0 2 14

2008

Jan. 8 0 0 0 0 0 8

Feb. 24 0 0 0 0 15 39

Mar. 0 0 4 0 0 4 9

Apr. 36 0 35 0 0 7 78

May 500 307 77 442 51 30 1,407

June 1,179 123 97 41 5 23 1,468

Total 5,376 975 830 643 147 154 8,128

See footnote at end of table.
15

TABLE 7—Continued Fresh-market peppers: U.S. imports for consumption from the Netherlands,a by months and

by major customs districts of entry, July 2005-June 2008

Period New York Boston Los Angeles Chicago Washington All other Total

Value (1,000 $)

2005

July 3,935 696 499 934 501 1,043 7,607

Aug. 4,501 786 373 657 522 789 7,628

Sept. 4,096 823 401 775 310 479 6,884

Oct. 2,992 539 275 702 389 301 5,198

Nov. 1,783 514 143 522 440 406 3,808

Dec. 474 105 19 165 164 286 1,213

2006

Jan. 34 4 3 0 0 29 70

Feb. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Mar. 120 63 41 110 51 17 402

Apr. 1,282 239 196 384 216 95 2,412

May 2,705 1,024 321 1,070 378 418 5,916

June 3,767 659 543 799 279 441 6,488

Total 25,689 5,452 2,814 6,118 3,250 4,304 47,626

2006

July 4,698 1,085 788 1,625 534 782 9,512

Aug. 3,570 691 654 1,254 443 327 6,939

Sept. 3,677 708 501 946 298 352 6,482

Oct. 2,432 518 520 411 299 350 4,530

Nov. 2,050 998 362 633 465 476 4,984

Dec. 117 17 0 0 0 39 173

2007

Jan. 4 0 0 0 0 0 4

Feb. 4 0 0 0 0 0 4

Mar. 158 0 11 80 0 2 251

Apr. 381 49 150 156 22 73 831

May 4,292 1,062 233 992 288 386 7,253

June 3,625 459 368 292 145 155 5,044

Total 25,008 5,587 3,587 6,389 2,494 2,942 46,007

2007

July 2,422 343 368 187 101 114 3,535

Aug. 3,277 469 351 96 102 96 4,391

Sept. 2,652 390 432 69 142 96 3,781

Oct. 1,608 264 297 10 5 50 2,234

Nov. 512 78 174 7 0 38 809

Dec. 42 0 0 0 0 12 54

2008

Jan. 17 0 0 0 0 0 17

Feb. 95 0 0 0 0 57 152

Mar. 0 0 21 3 0 26 50

Apr. 179 0 130 2 0 52 363

May 1,746 763 232 1,074 267 172 4,254

June 3,316 324 262 66 23 112 4,103

Total 15,866 2,631 2,267 1,514 640 825 23,743

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, except as noted.

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

Note: Monthly “all other” data and monthly totals for all customs districts are rounded from the actual data reported;

crop-year customs districts totals for each district are calculated using rounded data totals.

a

Data are for fresh or chilled peppers other than chili peppers (HTS subheading 0709.60.40) on a fresh-weight

basis.
16

TABLE 8 Processed peppers: U.S. imports for consumption,a by principal sources, 2003–07, January-June 2007,

and January-June 2008

Source 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

January-June

2007

January-June

2008

Quantity (mt)

Peru 67 934 2,418 3,172 6,985 1,563 6,027

Mexico 293 327 197 1,964 4,910 2,594 3,095

Turkey 3,633 5,505 5,485 4,543 2,808 1,206 631

Chile 3,354 2,201 2,668 2,438 2,498 1,083 577

EU-25

Spain 11,333 10,742 9,735 10,090 8,389 3,992 2,162

Greece 998 995 1,128 1,273 2,540 1,305 526

Italy 79 72 122 220 194 107 158

All other 54 23 7 6 40 23 12

Subtotal 12,465 11,832 10,992 11,588 11,164 5,428 2,857

All other 475 640 1,208 1,431 1,909 1,120 1,333

Total 20,287 21,439 22,968 25,136 30,274 12,994 14,520

Value (1,000 $)

Peru 151 1,331 3,486 4,152 9,202 2,200 8,660

Mexico 282 364 230 4,516 6,982 3,630 5,014

Turkey 3,206 5,102 5,370 4,979 3,052 1,287 716

Chile 2,388 1,697 2,331 2,390 2,455 1,049 541

EU-25

Spain 12,921 16,224 15,785 15,408 14,543 6,652 4,940

Greece 1,602 1,548 1,769 1,822 3,373 1,501 971

Italy 251 228 493 775 543 255 266

All other 87 39 24 26 82 39 33

Subtotal 14,860 18,038 18,072 18,031 18,541 8,447 6,210

All other 738 1,084 2,155 2,755 3,009 1,729 2,528

Total 21,625 27,616 31,644 36,823 43,241 18,342 23,669

Unit value ($/mt)

b

Peru 2,254 1,425 1,442 1,309 1,317 1,408 1,437

Mexico 962 1,113 1,168 2,299 1,422 1,399 1,620

Turkey 882 927 979 1,096 1,087 1,067 1,135

Chile 712 771 874 980 983 969 937

EU-25

Spain 1,140 1,510 1,621 1,527 1,734 1,666 2,285

Greece 1,605 1,556 1,568 1,431 1,328 1,150 1,846

Italy 3,177 3,167 4,041 3,523 2,799 2,383 1,684

All other 1,611 1,696 3,429 4,333 2,050 1,696 2,750

Weighted average 1,192 1,525 1,644 1,556 1,661 1,556 2,174

All other 1,554 1,694 1,784 1,925 1,576 1,544 1,896

Weighted average 1,066 1,288 1,378 1,465 1,428 1,412 1,630

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the U.S. Department of Commerce, except as

noted.

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

Note: Unit values for peppers from some countries are often significantly higher because they are believed to

include different types of peppers or peppers in different styles of pack (e.g., in glass rather than in cans).

Note: Depending upon the type of peppers entered, imports in 2008 enter at MFN rates of between 8.1 percent

and 14.9 percent ad valorem or free or at reduced rates pursuant to GSP, AGOA, CBERA, and ATPDEA

preference programs, to NAFTA, DR-CAFTA, and to other U.S. FTAs with Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Israel,

Jordan, Morocco, and Singapore. 

a

 Data are for prepared or preserved peppers (HTS subheading 2005.99.50 and statistical reporting number

2005.99.5510) on a processed-weight basis. Prior to 2007, prepared or preserved peppers were classified in HTS

subheading 2005.90.50 and statistical reporting number 2005.90.5510. b

Calculated by Commission staff using rounded numbers. 
17

PRODUCTION AND COSTS
18

TABLE 9 Fresh-market peppers: U.S. production quantity, value, and unit value, and harvested area, by selected

states, 2003–07

State 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Quantity (mt)

Florida 224,801 257,323 207,746 183,524 196,859

California 327,267 344,731 386,234 329,308 319,103

Georgia 61,235 30,073 31,026 51,437 52,072

Ohio 26,762 22,407 21,954 41,368 29,937

New Jersey 40,007 42,093 37,739 42,819 25,310

North Carolina 22,680 19,958 20,140 26,127 28,304

Michigan 20,412 23,678 17,781 15,921 14,152

All other 7,937 3,629 4,763 907 -

Total 731,101 743,892 727,382 691,412 665,738

Value (1,000 $)

Florida 177,920 218,411 213,428 187,330 183,148

California 206,606 217,701 239,715 212,548 178,618

Georgia 40,500 19,890 20,520 28,350 40,180

Ohio 15,989 10,078 17,279 30,278 22,968

New Jersey 25,578 23,200 20,550 27,848 17,577

North Carolina 12,500 10,120 10,656 15,552 15,600

Michigan 9,900 13,572 9,016 9,126 10,296

All other 4,670 3,984 3,539 946 -

Total 494,663 516,956 534,703 511,978 468,387

Unit value ($/mt)a

Florida 791 849 1,027 1,021 930

California 631 632 621 645 560

Georgia 661 661 661 551 772

Ohio 597 450 787 732 767

New Jersey 639 551 545 650 694

North Carolina 551 507 529 595 551

Michigan 485 573 507 573 728

All other 588 1,098 743 1,043 -

Weighted average 677 695 735 740 704

Harvested area (acres)

Florida 17,700 18,300 19,000 16,500 17,500

California 18,500 19,000 23,000 22,000 21,000

Georgia 4,500 3,900 3,600 4,200 4,100

Ohio 2,000 1,900 2,200 2,400 2,200

New Jersey 3,600 3,500 3,200 3,200 3,100

North Carolina 5,000 4,000 3,700 4,800 5,200

Michigan 1,800 1,800 1,400 1,300 1,200

All other 700 500 700 200 -

Total 53,800 52,900 56,800 54,600 54,300

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the USDA, NASS, as reported in Vegetables, 2005

Summary: January 2006, Vg 1-2(06), 27; 2006 Summary: January 2007, Vg 1-2(07), 27; and 2007 Summary:

January 2008, Vg 1-2(08), 27 except as noted.

Note: Production data are revised annually and figures for the more recent calendar years may not match data

presented in earlier reports.

Note: Data reported here are crop production estimates for bell peppers intended for fresh-market use and for

processing, and may vary significantly from actual crop-year shipments. Peppers for processing are believed to

account for a small share of the total shown here.

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown. 

a

Calculated by Commission staff using rounded numbers.
19

TABLE 10 Estimated production costs for fresh-market peppers grown in Florida, by production area and by

average cost per acre, 2004–05 and 2005–06 crop-years (in dollars)

Palm Beach County Southwest

Cost items 2004–05 2005–06 2004–05 2005–06

Preharvest costs

Operating costs

Transplants 900 900 1,000 1,000

Fertilizer 320 340 391 457

Fumigant 736 750 736 750

Other pesticides 797 842 867 973

Labor 455 455 430 430

Machinery 440 526 1,190 1,391

Interest 174 180 341 365

Miscellaneous 1,043 1,043 691 691

Subtotal 4,865 5,036 5,646 6,057

Fixed costs

Land rent 400 400 500 500

Machinery 125 125 264 264

Management 1,043 1,076 1,214 1,291

Overhead 1,304 1,345 1,517 1,614

Subtotal 2,872 2,946 3,495 3,669

Total preharvest costs 7,737 7,982 9,141 9,726

Harvest and marketing costs

Harvest, haul, and pack 3,278 3,278 3,090 3,100

Containers 1,045 1,045 950 950

Selling 550 550 500 500

Subtotal 4,873 4,873 4,540 4,550

Total production costs 12,610 12,855 13,681 14,276

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from Production Costs for Selected Florida Vegetables, compiled by Scott

A. Smith and Timothy G. Taylor, Food and Resource Economics Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural

Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, http://www.agbuscenter.ifas.ufl.edu/cost, retrieved August 13, 2007.

Note: These are the most current data available; estimates were discontinued in 2007.

Note: These production-cost budgets are constructed based on input prices obtained from various industry sources

and are believed to reflect typical costs of production for growers in a given production area, but do not necessarily

reflect the actual industry average cost of production in that area. 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

21

SHIPMENTS, QUANTITIES AVAILABLE,

AND PRICES
22

TABLE 11 Fresh-market peppers: Shipments, by major suppliers and by months, 2005–07

Period Florida California Georgia Mexico Canada

Quantity (mt)

2005

Jan. 29,030 45 0 44,316 45

Feb. 25,129 0 0 34,110 136

Mar. 34,156 0 0 29,574 1,089

Apr. 40,370 3,039 0 24,040 3,402

May 41,867 15,059 635 13,517 4,082

June 1,950 23,678 31,493 4,899 5,761

July 0 23,814 3,447 862 5,897

Aug. 0 27,533 0 227 11,431

Sept. 0 26,762 45 771 12,111

Oct. 2,903 23,723 13,109 4,581 7,938

Nov. 8,391 19,096 8,800 14,470 3,039

Dec. 9,934 3,221 1,996 35,471 907

 Total 193,730 165,970 59,525 206,838 55,838

2006

Jan. 15,604 635 0 55,248 181

Feb. 21,818 0 0 45,949 91

Mar. 34,927 0 0 40,733 1,043

Apr. 43,091 3,039 0 27,125 3,674

May 34,337 16,647 9,616 16,103 5,488

June 227 21,500 34,428 4,400 6,895

July 0 23,587 590 1,451 6,350

Aug. 0 21,546 0 1,179 13,517

Sept. 0 25,628 590 816 12,565

Oct. 2,722 22,181 18,416 2,495 10,297

Nov. 21,228 13,925 16,057 12,066 2,631

Dec. 26,218 2,449 454 29,030 45

 Total 200,172 151,137 80,151 236,595 62,777

2007

Jan. 24,267 181 0 42,728 91

Feb. 22,544 0 0 40,506 45

Mar. 28,712 0 0 37,557 998

Apr. 32,296 2,449 0 27,306 4,173

May 25,084 17,917 0 13,744 6,033

June 726 28,259 0 4,264 7,666

July 0 28,032 1,678 1,451 7,802

Aug. 0 27,987 4,990 1,451 14,606

Sept. 0 33,248 3,447 1,950 15,604

Oct. 136 29,257 272 4,627 10,433

Nov. 13,971 20,003 0 17,418 3,175

Dec. 28,350 4,899 0 39,417 499

 Total 176,086 192,232 10,387 232,419 71,125

Source: Data compiled by Commission staff from Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Shipments, USDA, Market News,

FVAS-4, Calendar Year 2005, February 2006, 27-28; FVAS-4, Calendar Year 2006, March 2007, 28; and FVAS-4,

Calendar Year 2007, March 2008, 31.

Note: Data are for truck shipments only.
23

TABLE 12 Fresh-market peppers: Quantities available at major shipping points, by sources, by U.S. transportation

modes, and by weeks, 2007–08 crop-year (1,000 lbs)

U.S. product 

Truck Imports

Month/week ending Florida California

All

other Total

PiggybackU.S.

total Mexico

All 

other Total

Grand

total

2007

Sept. 8 0 14,810 5,920 20,730 570 21,300 400 70 470 21,770

15 0 19,480 4,580 24,060 480 24,550 1,000 550 1,550 26,100

22 0 18,060 2,890 20,950 880 21,830 1,000 120 1,120 22,950

29 0 18,800 2,400 21,200 570 21,770 1,680 390 2,170 23,940

Oct. 6 0 17900 4,240 22,130 570 22,700 1,630 60 1,690 24,390

13 0 17230 5,150 22,620 310 22,930 1,290 290 1,580 24,510

20 0 13510 7,450 20,970 480 21,450 2,430 100 2,530 23,980

27 0 10020 12,480 22,500 480 22,990 2,910 200 3,110 26,100

Nov. 3 860 9,960 12,660 23,480 920 24,410 3,370 230 3,600 28,010

10 4,420 14,040 7,030 25,480 660 26,140 5,500 620 6,120 32,260

17 9,000 11,260 6,270 26,520 750 27,270 9,230 250 9,480 36,750

24 7,790 7,490 690 15,980 260 16,240 9,970 690 10,680 26,920

Dec. 1 9,680 6,840 40 16,560 260 16,820 13,460 360 13,820 30,640

8 15,740 4,640 0 20,380 220 20,600 19,730 510 20,240 40,840

15 16,060 2,730 0 18,790 180 18,960 21,210 300 21,510 40,470

22 13,520 1,900 0 15,430 130 15,560 21,790 760 22,550 38,110

29 12,610 1,120 0 13,730 90 13,810 16,600 370 16,970 30,780

2008

Jan. 5 9,010 1,510 0 10,510 0 10,510 18,070 500 18,570 29,080

12 17,220 870 0 18,100 40 18,140 26,890 470 27,360 45,500

19 13,150 550 0 13,700 90 13,790 21,420 570 22,090 35,880

26 14,890 100 0 14,980 190 15,110 18,470 480 18,950 34,060

Feb. 2 15,120 210 0 15,330 0 15,330 23,040 740 23,780 39,110

9 16,440 160 0 16,590 0 16,590 22,010 440 22,450 39,040

16 12,070 60 0 12,130 0 12,130 23,530 490 24,020 36,150

23 13,300 20 0 13,320 0 13,320 21,790 470 22,260 35,580

Mar. 1 10,680 10 0 10,690 0 10,690 18,420 70 18,490 29,180

8 10,890 0 0 10,890 0 10,890 23,320 410 23,730 34,620

15 17,880 0 0 17,880 0 17,880 22,630 590 23,220 41,100

22 20,730 0 0 20,730 0 20,730 21,210 430 21,640 42,370

29 17,440 0 0 17,440 0 17,440 19,820 540 20,360 37,800

Apr. 5 15,930 0 0 15,930 0 15,930 18,190 480 18,670 34,600

12 20,260 0 0 20,260 0 20,260 12,940 420 13,360 33,620

19 15,930 0 0 15,930 0 15,930 10,770 410 11,180 27,110

26 14,640 1,040 0 15,680 0 15,680 11,650 480 12,130 27,810

May 3 13,040 4,340 0 17,370 0 17,370 10,240 510 10,750 28,120

10 10,480 8,850 0 19,320 180 19,500 9,530 240 9,770 29,270

17 8,780 10,280 500 19,550 440 19,990 9,930 190 10,120 30,110

24 8,980 9,440 3,410 21,830 350 22,180 9,580 90 9,670 31,850

31 4,280 9,890 9,280 23,450 530 23,980 8,690 110 8,800 32,780

June 7 470 9,310 14,570 24,350 700 25,050 3,690 90 2,780 27,830

14 40 11,050 17,710 28,800 750 29,550 1,460 30 1,490 31,040

21 0 9,610 16,940 26,550 620 27,160 1,140 70 1,210 28,370

28 0 9,580 12,350 21,930 180 22,110 980 30 1,010 23,120

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the USDA, Market News, 

http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal, retrieved August 11, 2008.

Note: U.S. data are obtained by the USDA from various sources including Federal Marketing Order administrative

committees, the Federal-State Inspection Service, shippers, and transportation agencies. Mexico data are

borderScrossings. 

Note: Because of rounding, figures may not add to the totals shown.

Note: Piggy-back transportation mode is when product is shipped in trailers, semi-trailers, or containers on a flat-bed

rail car.
24

TABLE 13 Fresh-market peppers: Average range of shipping-point prices f.o.b. California, by color, by size, and by

weeks, 2007–08 crop-year (dollars/carton and/1⁄2 carton)

Greena Redb

Month/week ending Largec Mediumc Largec Larged

2007

July 7 6.45-7.95 6.00-7.45 10.95-12.95 -

14 7.85-7.95 6.85-7.95 8.95-10.95 -

21 7.35-7.95 6.35-7.95 7.95-8.95 -

28 6.45-7.50 5.45-7.50 7.95-7.95 -

Aug. 4 5.35-7.50 5.35-6.50 7.95-8.95 -

11 6.00-7.45 5.50-6.50 8.95-12.95 -

18 6.35-7.35 5.45-6.50 12.95-16.95 -

25 6.35-7.35 5.50-6.50 14.95-15.50 14.95-14.95

Sept. 1 5.50-7.95 5.00-7.45 11.95-14.95 10.95-12.95

 8 5.50-6.50 5.00-6.00 11.85-12.95 10.95-12.95

15 6.50-9.95 5.00-8.95 8.95-12.95 8.95-12.95

22 8.95-9.95 7.45-8.50 7.95-8.95 6.95-8.95

29 7.85-9.95 6.85-8.95 6.95-8.95 6.95-7.95

Oct. 3 8.85-11.00 7.85-9.50 5.95-7.95 5.95-6.95

10 10.95-12.95 8.85-10.95 5.95-6.95 6.95-8.95

17 12.35-13.50 9.85-12.35 6.95-8.95 7.95-9.95

24 12.90-14.95 11.45-13.95 8.50-9.95 8.95-10.95

Nov. 4 13.95-15.95 12.45-14.95 7.95-9.95 7.95-9.95

11 10.95-14.95 10.85-13.35 - 7.95-10.95

18 - - - 12.00-14.95

25 - - - 12.95-14.95

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the USDA, Market News,

http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal, retrieved August 11, 2008.

Note: The crop-year covers the period July 2007 to June 2008; California reported prices only for

July-November 2007.

a

Cartons hold one and one-ninth bushels.

b

One-half cartons.

c

Data are for the San Joaquin area.

d

Data are for the South District area.
25

TABLE 14 Fresh-market peppers: Average range of shipping-point prices for border-crossings of bell-type peppers

from Mexico, f.o.b. Nogales, AZ, by color, by size, and by weeks, 2007–08 crop-year (dollars/carton)

Greena Orangeb Reda

Month/week ending Extra large Large Medium Large Large

2007

Nov. 10 18.95-18.95 16.95-16.95 14.95-14.95 - -

17 16.95-13.95 14.95-18.95 12.95-16.95 - -

24 12.95-16.95 8.95-12.95 7.95-10.95 - -

Dec. 1 10.95-10.95 8.95-10.95 7.95-8.95 - -

8 12.95-12.95 10.95-10.95 8.95-9.95 - -

15 6.95-12.95 6.95-10.95 5.95-8.95 18.95-22.95 18.95-18.95

22 6.95-7.95 6.95-7.95 5.95-6.95 14.95-20.95 16.95-18.95

29 7.95-8.95 6.95-7.95 5.95-7.95 18.95-22.95 14.95-18.95

2008

Jan. 5 8.95-18.95 8.95-16.95 8.95-14.95 16.95-22.95 12.95-14.95

12 18.95-20.95 18.95-20.95 16.95-18.95 13.95-16.95 10.95-12.95

19 14.95-18.95 12.95-16.95 10.95-14.95 12.95-16.95 7.95-10.95

26 18.95-22.95 14.95-20.95 14.95-16.95 12.95-14.95 8.95-10.95

Feb. 2 18.95-22.95 16.95-20.95 10.95-18.95 12.95-16.95 10.95-10.95

9 14.95-18.95 10.95-14.95 8.95-10.95 12.95-16.95 8.95-10.95

16 12.95-14.95 8.95-10.95 6.95-8.95 14.95-18.95 12.95-24.95

23 12.95-20.95 8.95-14.95 5.95-8.95 16.95-20.95 24.95-24.95

Mar. 1 14.95-22.95 10.95-18.95 5.95-8.95 20.95-20.95 24.95-30.95

8 20.95-26.95 16.95-24.95 10.95-18.95 20.95-22.95 30.95-36.95

15 30.95-32.95 26.95-30.95 20.95-20.95 18.95-20.95 26.95-30.95

22 24.95-36.95 20.95-28.95 14.95-22.95 12.95-18.95 24.85-26.95

29 20.95-28.95 14.95-22.95 10.95-16.95 10.95-10.95 18.85-30.95

Apr. 5 22.95-28.95 20.95-22.95 14.95-16.95 8.95-10.95 16.85-20.95

12 22.95-24.95 20.95-22.95 14.95-16.95 8.95-12.95 12.85-20.95

19 24.95-26.95 22.95-24.95 16.95-20.95 8.95-12.95 12.85-14.95

26 20.95-26.95 20.95-24.95 18.95-20.95 10.95-14.95 -

May 3 - - - 12.85-16.95 -

10 - - - 14-95-20.95 -

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the USDA, Market News, 

http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal, retrieved August 11, 2008.

a

Cartons hold one and one-ninth bushels.

b

Cartons hold 11 pounds.
26

TABLE 15 Fresh-market peppers: Average range of shipping-point prices for green peppers from Florida, f.o.b.

Central and South Florida, by size and by weeks, 2006–07 and 2007–08 crop-years (dollars/carton or crate)a

Month/week ending Extra Large Large Medium

2006–07 crop-year

2006

Oct. 28 8.85-10.85 7.85-9.35 7.85-9.35

Nov. 4 7.85-8.85 7.00-7.85 6.85-7.85

11 8.35-8.85 7.35-8.85 6.35-7.85

18 7.85-10.85 7.35-8.85 7.35-8.85

25 8.85-10.85 7.35-8.85 6.85-7.85

Dec. 2 7.85-10.85 6.85-8.85 6.35-7.85

9 7.85-8.85 6.85-7.85 6.35-7.85

16 7.35-10.85 7.85-8.85 6.85-8.85

23 6.35-8.85 6.35-7.85 6.35-7.85

30 7.35-8.85 7.35-8.85 7.35-8.85

2007

Jan. 6 6.85-8.85 6.85-8.85 6.85-8.85

13 7.35-8.85 7.35-8.85 7.35-7.85

20 10.35-16.85 10.35-14.85 8.35-14.85

Apr. 21 16.00-24.85 14.00-20.85 10.00-16.85

28 12.00-20.85 10.00-16.85 8.00-12.85

May 5 10.00-12.85 8.00-10.85 8.00-8.85

12 7.00-10.85 6.00-8.85 6.00-8.85

2007–08 crop-year

2007

Nov. 10 14.00-18.85 12.00-16.85 12.00-14.85

17 16.35-18.85 14.35-16.85 14.00-14.85

24 12.35-14.85 10.35-12.85 6.35-12.85

Dec. 1 8.00-12.85 10.35-10.85 8.35-10.85

8 6.00-10.85 8.00-10.85 8.00-10.85

15 6.00-8.85 6.00-9.85 6.00-8.85

22 6.35-8.85 6.00-6.85 6.00-6.85

29 7.35-8.85 6.35-7.85 6.35-7.85

2008

Jan. 5 10.35-16.85 8.35-12.85 7.35-10.85

12 16.35-16.85 14.35-16.85 12.35-16.85

19 10.35-16.85 10.35-14.85 10.35-14.85

26 12.35-16.85 10.35-14.85 10.35-14.85

Feb. 2 14.35-18.85 14.35-18.85 14.35-16.85

9 12.35-16.85 12.35-14.85 12.35-14.85

16 14.35-16.85 14.35-14.85 12.35-12.85

Apr. 12 10.35-12.85 8.35-10.85 6.35-10.85

19 10.35-14.85 10.34-12.85 10.35-10.85

26 14.35-18.85 12.35-16.85 12.35-16.85

May 3 18.35-20.85 16.35-20.85 16.35-18.85

10 20.35-20.85 18.35-20.85 16.35-18.85

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the USDA, Market News,

http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal, retrieved August 11, 2008.

Note: For each crop-year, data are shown for all weeks when prices were reported.

a

Cartons or crates hold one and one-ninth bushels.
27

TABLE 16 Fresh-market peppers: Range of Chicago terminal market prices for field-grown, bell-type green peppers,

by suppliers and by weeks, 2007–08 crop-year (dollars/carton)a

Extra-large Jumbo

Month/week ending California Florida Mexico Georgia

2007

Sept. 8 12.00-13.00 - - -

15 12.00-13.00 - - -

22 12.00-14.00 - - -

29 14.00-14.00 - - -

Oct. 6 13.00-17.00 - - -

13 15.00-17.00 - - -

20 15.00-15.00 - - 15.00-15.00

 27 15.00-15.00 - - 14.00-14.50

Nov. 3 15.00-15.00 - - 14.00-14.50

10 15.00-22.00 - - 14.00-14.50

17 25.00-26.00 - - 26.00-26.00

24 25.00-26.00 - - 26.00-26.00

Dec. 1 25.00-26.00 - - 26.00-26.00

8 14.00-16.00 - - 15.00-16.00

15 - 12.00-15.00 12.00-17.00 -

22 - 10.00-12.00 12.00-12.00 -

29 - 10.00-12.00 12.00-12.00 -

2008

Jan. 5 - 10.00-14.00 11.00-15.00 -

12 - 12.00-22.00 18.00-25.00 -

19 - 20.00-22.00 24.00-25.00 -

26 - 16.00-20.00 24.00-24.00 -

Feb. 2 - 22.00-25.00 24.00-27.00 -

 9 - 21.00-22.00 24.00-25.00 -

16 - 16.00-22.00 18.00-25.00 -

23 - 14.00-17.00 18.00-20.00 -

Mar. 1 - 14.00-18.00 18.00-19.00 -

 8 - 16.00-30.00 18.00-30.00 -

15 - 28.00-30.00 30.00-30.00 -

22 - 22.00-30.00 30.00-30.00 -

29 - 14.00-18.00 26.00-28.00 -

Apr. 5 - 14.00-15.00 - -

12 - 13.00-15.00 - -

19 - 14.00-14.00 - -

26 - 13.00-25.00 - -

May 3 - 24.00-25.00 - -

10 - 24.00-28.00 - -

17 - 26.00-28.00 - -

24 - 26.00-34.00 36.00-36.00 -

31 24.00-28.00 24.00-28.00 18.00-25.00 -

June 7 - 16.00-23.00 - -

14 13.00-14.00 16.00-16.00 - 16.00-16.00

21 12.00-14.00 - 14.00-15.00 14.00-18.00

28 - - - 18.00-22.00

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the USDA, Market News,

http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal, retrieved August 15, 2008.

a

Cartons hold one and one-ninth bushels.
28

TABLE 17 Fresh-market peppers: Range of New York terminal market prices for field-grown, extra-large bell-type

peppers, by color, by supplier, and by weeks, 2007–08 crop-year (dollars/carton)a

Green Red

Month/week ending New Jersey Florida Mexico California Mexico

2007

July 7 12.00-15.00 - - 22.00-24.00 -

14 8.00-12.00 - - 24.00-26.00 -

21 7.00-9.00 - - 22.00-25.00 -

28 8.00-10.00 - - 16.00-18.00 -

Aug. 4 8.00-10.00 - - 14.00-16.00 -

11 8.00-10.00 - - 14.00-18.00 -

18 7.00-10.00 - - 24.00-25.00 -

25 7.00-9.00 - - 28.00-29.00 -

Sept. 1 8.00-11.00 - - 28.00-30.00 -

8 11.00-14.00 - - - -

15 12.00-14.00 - - 28.00-28.00 -

22 12.00-13.00 - - 21.00-28.00 -

29 12.00-15.00 - - 16.00-20.00 -

Oct. 6 14.00-15.00 - - 14.00-18.00 -

13 10.00-16.00 - - 12.00-16.00 -

20 - - - 18.00-20.00 -

 27 - 14.00-16.00 - 20.00-27.00 -

Nov. 3 - 14.00-16.00 - 20.00-24.00 -

10 - 16.00-25.00 - 20.00-22.00 -

17 - 12.00-25.00 - 26.00-26.00 -

24 - 16.00-18.00 - 26.00-28.00 -

Dec. 1 - 8.00-16.00 14.00-14.00 25.00-26.00 -

8 - 14.00-18.00 17.00-18.00 26.00-26.00 -

15 - 10.00-14.00 16.00-16.00 28.00-30.00 -

22 - 8.00-12.00 - 26.00-32.00 -

29 - 10.00-12.00 14.00-14.00 20.00-26.00 24.00-30.00

2008

Jan. 5 - 12.00-15.00 - 22.00-25.00 24.00-27.00

12 - 16.00-18.00 - - 20.00-26.00

19 - 14.00-18.00 17.00-18.00 - 20.00-23.00

26 - 15.00-20.00 18.00-18.00 - 18.00-18.00

Feb. 2 - 18.00-22.00 22.00-22.00 - 16.00-19.00

 9 - 14.00-20.00 18.00-20.00 - 16.00-18.00

16 - 15.00-18.00 - - 16.00-20.00

23 - 15.00-18.00 14.00-16.00 - 24.00-35.00

Mar. 1 - 18.00-20.00 16.00-17.00 - 45.00-45.00

 8 - 22.00-26.00 - - 45.00-45.00

15 - 26.00-30.00 25.00-30.00 - 48.00-50.00

22 - 14.00-22.00 - - 32.00-42.00

29 - 12.00-16.00 - - 24.00-25.00

Apr. 5 - 12.00-12.00 - - 16.00-18.00

12 - 12.00-13.00 - - 24.00-26.00

19 - 14.00-17.00 - - 24.00-32.00

26 - 16.00-20.00 - - 35.00-36.00

May 3 - 20.00-22.00 - - -

10 - 22.00-36.00 - - -

17 - 28.00-36.00 - - -

24 - 26.00-30.00 - - 40.00-50.00

31 - 18.00-20.00 - - -

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the USDA, Market News,

http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal, retrieved August 11, 2008.

a

Cartons hold one and one-ninth bushels.
29

TABLE 18 Fresh-market peppers: Range of Los Angeles terminal market prices for field-grown, extra-large bell-type

peppers, by color, by supplier, and by weeks, 2007–08 crop-year (dollars/carton)a

Green Red Yellow

Month/week ending California Mexico California Mexico California

2007

July 7 10.00-13.00 - - - 22.00-22.00

14 11.00-12.00 - - - 22.00-22.00

21 12.00-12.00 - - - 22.00-22.00

28 12.00-12.00 - 20.00-22.00 - 22.00-22.00

Aug. 4 9.00-12.00 - - - 20.00-22.00

11 9.00-12.00 - 18.00-18.00 - -

18 9.00-11.00 - 25.00-25.00 - 25.00-25.00

25 8.00-11.00 - - - -

Sept. 1 9.00-12.00 - 20.00-20.00 - -

8 9.00-11.00 - 20.00-20.00 - -

15 9.00-12.00 - 20.00-20.00 24.00-24.00 -

22 13.00-17.00 16.00-17.00 16.00-16.00 20.00-24.00 -

29 11.00-15.00 11.00-17.00 16.00-18.00 - -

Oct. 6 14.00-17.00 - 16.00-18.00 16.00-18.00 -

13 12.00-16.00 - 13.00-16.00 - -

20 13.00-17.00 - 14.00-18.00 - -

 27 15.00-20.00 - 14.00-20.00 - -

Nov. 3 17.50-22.00 - 17.00-21.00 - -

10 18.00-22.00 22.00-24.00 17.00-21.00 - -

17 20.00-24.00 20.00-24.00 17.00-22.00 - 26.00-26.00

24 20.00-22.00 20.00-23.00 22.00-22.00 - 26.00-26.00

Dec. 1 13.00-14.00 13.00-14.00 24.00-24.00 - 26.00-26.00

8 13.00-17.00 13.00-17.00 22.00-28.00 - 28.00-28.00

15 13.00-17.00 13.00-17.00 28.00-28.00 32.00-32.00 28.00-28.00

22 12.00-13.00 11.00-13.00 - 28.00-32.00 -

29 - 10.00-12.00 - 28.00-28.00 -

2008

Jan. 5 - 10.00-21.00 - - -

12 - 18.00-28.00 - - -

19 - 16.00-24.00 - - -

26 - 16.00-23.00 - - -

Feb. 2 - 21.00-28.00 - - -

 9 - 16.00-22.00 - 19.00-20.00 -

16 - 14.00-18.00 - 19.00-20.00 -

23 - 14.00-15.00 - 19.00-20.00 -

Mar. 1 - 15.00-16.00 - - -

 8 - 19.00-30.00 - - -

15 - 34.00-40.00 - 48.00-50.00 -

22 - 33.00-40.00 - 22.00-50.00 -

29 - 28.00-36.00 - 22.00-24.00 -

Apr. 5 - 28.00-32.00 - 22.00-24.00 -

12 - 26.00-32.00 - 22.00-24.00 -

19 - 30.00-32.00 - - -

26 26.00-26.00 30.00-32.00 - - -

May 3 28.00-30.00 28.00-32.00 - - -

10 24.00-30.00 24.00-30.00 - - -

17 28.00-30.00 28.00-30.00 - 40.00-40.00 -

24 28.00-32.00 28.00-32.00 - - -

31 24.00-32.00 26.00-32.00 - - -

Source: Compiled by Commission staff from official statistics of the USDA, Market News, 

http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal, retrieved August 11, 2008.

a

Cartons hold one and one-ninth bushels.