Monsoon Rains Delay Start of Hatch chile Season in New Mexico
- Hatch chile season in New Mexico delayed due to recent rains.
- Growers have slightly increased their chile plantings this year.
- Weather challenges included high winds causing early wind burn on plants.
- Strong demand for Hatch chiles is expected throughout the season.
- Grocers tend to underestimate the quality of later-season chiles.
Monsoon Delays Start of Hatch chile Season
The arrival of monsoon rains in New Mexico has caused a delay in the much-anticipated Hatch chile season. Preston Mitchell, a representative from The Hatch Chile Store, noted that the timing of this year’s season took an unexpected turn. Previously, local growers had indicated a start date around July 7th, give or take a few days; however, the rains that swept through the state this June have adjusted those expectations. “We had a pretty big monsoon roll in the second half of June, and that’s still hitting us with rain,” said Mitchell. As a result, the chile season has now kicked off, albeit later than usual.
Planting Trends and Weather Challenges
In terms of planting, there are some interesting trends this season. Growers have reported that they have increased their plantings slightly compared to previous years on both the processing side and for fresh market chile. But it has not been an easy ride; Mitchell highlighted some weather-related challenges. “In March and even into April, we’ve had horrific winds, so there was some wind burn early on,” he explained. Fortunately, most plants have rebounded from those early struggles, although it is likely that some growers faced significant losses due to the adverse conditions.
Looking Toward Strong Demand and Future Sales
As the season progresses, demand for Hatch chiles is expected to be quite strong. Mitchell is optimistic about sales, projecting a potential increase of 10 to 15 percent this year. On the flip side, he also pointed out that maintaining momentum in sales is crucial as the season approaches its end, which typically falls at the first frost—around late October or early November. “It’s interesting. Grocers want to be the first to market in July, and then the first week of September comes and they’re out,” said Mitchell. He wishes grocers would continue to buy these chiles through to the end of the season, as some of the best produce typically becomes available later.
In summary, the Hatch chile season in New Mexico has faced delays due to recent monsoon rains, pushing back the start date that growers initially anticipated. However, planting trends indicate more activity compared to years prior, despite some weather-related setbacks. Moving forward, the demand is expected to be solid, but stakeholders hope that the purchasing habits of grocers will shift to accommodate the better quality chiles available later in the season.
