Post the uncertainty following the COVID pandemic, the famed Guntur red chilli, (Gunturu Sannalu), is again on a roll commanding a record maximum price of ₹23,000 per quintal (non-AC special variety). The special variety of chilli, ‘Teja’ is being sold for ₹18,000 per quintal. The Badiga variety is sold for ₹21,000, while the Devanuru Delux is sold for ₹23,000 a quintal.
This is the beginning of the high season of chilli between February and May, when the lanes of Asia’s largest market yard in Guntur are crammed with trucks and autos bringing thousands of sun-dried chillies from all over Andhra Pradesh. In the low season between August to December, the premium varieties stacked in cold storages command a high price, and those who wait for longer periods are rewarded.
All the premium varieties, including ‘Teja’, ‘334’ and ‘Badiga’ are commanding an average price in excess of ₹170 per kg. Thursday witnessed history as Teja variety commanded a price of ₹200 per kg.
