🌶️ Byadgi Crop Report 2024–25 | SpiceExtra Exclusive
Byadgi, a town near Hubli in Karnataka, is world-famous for its Byadgi dry chilli—renowned for its deep red colour, long shelf life (18–24 months), and rich aroma. At SpiceExtra, we bring you the Byadgi Crop Report 2024–25, covering sowing, diseases, crop trends, and market outlook to help farmers, traders, and spice companies plan better.
📍 Where is Byadgi Chilli Grown?
Byadgi chilli is grown traditionally in a rainfed and organic manner, mainly in Kundgol and Annigeri. The sowing season starts in June and harvesting runs from November to March.
This chilli has the highest colour value among Indian chillies, making it highly sought after for oleoresin extraction, spice blends, and exports.
🌧️ Monsoon & Climate Impact 2024
- Monsoon 2024 started on time, enabling timely sowing.
- October’s excess rainfall caused a 10–20% crop loss, affecting yields.
- Cold weather arrived on time, which is crucial for chilli quality and shelf life.
🦠 Major Diseases in 2024–25 Season
- Wilt Disease – Higher due to heavy October rains.
- Western Black Thrips – Minimal to medium impact.
- Leaf Curl Disease – Low incidence this year.
🌱 Crop Sowing Trends
- Sowing Area: Lower than last year. Farmers shifted to pulses (Moong, Toor Dal) and cotton due to better prices.
- Varieties: 80% Byadgi; others include Syngenta-2043, Sarpan 102.
- Expected Market Arrivals: Late December 2024.
Key Insights:
✔️ Farmers reduced acreage after last year’s low chilli prices.
✔️ Shifts toward pulses and cotton observed.
✔️ This year, all qualities (top, colour-medium, and fatki) are expected in better supply compared to last year.
💰 Price & Market Outlook
With reduced sowing area but better quality expected, Byadgi chilli prices may remain stable to firm in early arrivals. Exporters and masala companies will closely monitor arrivals from December 2024.
👨🌾 Farmer Spotlight – Shri Basavaraj Bellati
An inspiring story comes from Saunshi village, Kundgol. Shri Basavaraj Bellati, with over 40 years of farming experience, has transformed his 40-acre farm into a seed resource hub.
- Instead of selling to traders, he produces dry chilli seeds for farmers across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
- His rainfed, chemical-light cultivation ensures high-quality seed material.
- Local farmers prefer his seeds for better yield and quality on irrigated lands.
This model showcases how sustainable and farmer-to-farmer approaches can build resilience in chilli farming.
🌶️ The Future of Byadgi Chilli
The Byadgi chilli cultivation area is shrinking year by year, but collaborative efforts can secure its future. At SpiceExtra, we are building a platform connecting:
- Farmers 👨🌾
- Spice Companies 🏭
- Scientists 🔬
- Seed & Fertilizer Companies 🌱
- Government Agencies 🏛️
- Startups 🚀
for sustainable chilli production, disease management, and market intelligence.
✨ Conclusion
The Byadgi Crop Report 2024–25 shows that while sowing has reduced, timely monsoon and favourable cold weather promise better quality arrivals this season. Farmers’ shift to pulses highlights the need for stable chilli prices to maintain acreage.
Byadgi chilli is not just a crop—it is a cultural and economic pride of Karnataka, known worldwide for its colour, aroma, and sustainability.
