New Mexico chile production down in 2017
New Mexico’s chile crop declined in 2017.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture released the 2017 New Mexico Chile Production Report on March 13.
According to the report, planted acreage in 2017 was down 12 percent, with just 7,600 acres harvested. Production in 2017 was down to 62,700 tons, compared to 69,600 tons in 2016. Of the total crop, 79 percent was sold into the processing market, with 21 percent into the fresh market.
Long Hot Green harvested acres showed a moderate decline from 2016 to 2,100 acres, with yields increasing to 14 tons per acre. Long Mild Green harvested acres were down dramatically to 1,900 acres in 2017, with yields of 13.7 tons per acre.
The total value of New Mexico chile production in 2017 as estimated at $44.6 million, down from $51 million in 2016. Chile for processing were valued at $36.7 million, with fresh chile value of $7.9 million.
