MORGAN HILL, CA - No spice, no life as I often say, and I’m sure Salvador Hurtado, Sakata Seed America’s Hot Pepper, Melon, and Latin America Senior Product Manager, agrees with me. As this growing segment continues to capture the consumer palate, I got in touch with Salvador to learn more about Sakata’s hot pepper program and how it’s helping growers spice up their portfolios.

“The season started out incredible with a lot of momentum behind our new Serrano pepper line in Mexico and our new Habanero ‘Chaak’ hybrid in the East Coast United States. The market is hot (pun intended)!” Salvador tells me, a punny kinship already forming. “We have good pricing for the growers, which gives hope to the upcoming seasons throughout the hot pepper regions.”

Sakata Seed America has the capabilities to meet growers’ and consumers’ various needs through its full hot pepper portfolio. From the Guajillo and Ancho dehydrating market to offering the earliest Habanero in the market, Sakata works hard to develop and launch varieties that hit every important trait such as best price at market, longer shelf-life to allow for transport and harvest, and a healthy plant that is adaptable to most regions.

Aside from the product offerings, these commitments are what help set Sakata apart from the competition. That and the exciting projects the company has in store.

“We are working on a new, experimental Jalapeño that is extremely hot and has a tremendous shelf-life that will take the title of ‘El Rey’ (the King) away from one of our legacy Jalapeños,” Salvador continues. “This variety has shocked many hot pepper connoisseurs, as the heat units are impressive. We are excited to launch this Jalapeño during our summer trials, and it will be available commercially early next year. Working side-by-side with our breeder Benito, we are putting the heat back in hot peppers!”

Now that’s some spicy news to take advantage of this hot summer season. Along with all the other hot peppers in Sakata’s program, the seed company strives to provide growers not only with a higher yield but also with varieties that provide resistances growers need.

“Our Pathfinder Serrano has great resistance to Phytophthora and bacteria, which is key for growers on the East Coast,” explains Salvador. “On the other hand, our Habanero Chaak has resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus, or TSWV. Another key point within our product line is the shelf-life of our varieties and the ability to maintain their dark green color well after harvest. In our Habaneros, they are tolerant to cracking, which is important for our growers.”

If you’re as excited about the developments taking place in the hot pepper segment, keep checking back to ANUK for the latest.

Sakata Seed America