The domestic pepper market is under pressure from two different weather problems at once. Heavy rains in Georgia have cut into production, while drought conditions in North Carolina are adding stress to East Coast supply. Simultaneously, the West is going through a regional transition in sourcing.
Peppers are a high-volume commodity across both retail and foodservice, and dual-region disruption on the East Coast heading into summer grilling season is notable. Western supply transitions can be managed, but the weather damage on the East is less predictable in terms of how long the impact lasts.
Category managers sourcing Eastern bells and chilis should be in close contact with their supply partners to understand how long the weather-related pressure holds. Worth monitoring whether the Western transition cushions the overall market or whether supply stays tight through July.