Chilli Pepper Export

What it is

Chilli Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is a fruit of plants from the nightshade family, widely cultivated for its pungent flavor and rich nutritional profile. Known for its spiciness due to the compound capsaicin, chilli pepper is used globally in food, medicine, and food processing industries. It comes in various types such as Bird’s Eye (African hot pepper), Cayenne, Scotch Bonnet, Habanero, and Jalapeño.

What Export of Chilli Pepper is

Exporting chilli pepper involves sourcing fresh, dried, or processed peppers, preparing them according to international standards, packaging for long-distance transport, and shipping to global markets. Nigeria is a leading African producer of chilli pepper, with significant export opportunities to Europe, Asia, and North America, especially within diaspora markets.

Specifications

General Specifications

• Product: Chilli Pepper

• Varieties: Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, Bird’s Eye, Cayenne, Jalapeño

• Form: Fresh, Dried, Powdered, Crushed/Flakes

• Grade: A Grade (clean, healthy, uniform size and color)

• Moisture Content:

  • Fresh: 65 – 80%

  • Dried: ≤ 8%

• Color: Red, Green, Yellow, or Orange (depending on variety)

• Pungency (Heat Level): 30,000 – 350,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units, depending on type)

• Odor & Taste: Characteristic pungent hot flavor, free from foreign odor

• Shelf Life:

  • Fresh: 1 – 3 weeks under refrigeration

  • Dried/Powder: 12 – 24 months in sealed packaging

Export Packaging

• Fresh Chilli:

  • 2 kg, 5 kg, or 10 kg perforated cartons or crates

• Dried Chilli:

  • 25 kg, 40 kg, or 50 kg PP (polypropylene) woven sacks

  • Sealed laminated pouches or cartons (for premium packaging)

• Powdered/Flakes:

  • Sealed polyethylene or foil bags (1 kg, 5 kg, 25 kg) inside cartons

• Bulk Shipments: 20–25 MT per 40ft container (dried), 12–15 MT per 40ft container (fresh, chilled)

Export Form

1. Fresh Chilli Peppers – harvested, cleaned, graded

2. Dried Whole Chilli – sun-dried or mechanically dried

3. Chilli Powder – ground and sieved into fine powder

4. Chilli Flakes/Crushed – coarsely ground for culinary and industrial use

Uses

• Culinary: Seasoning, sauces, soups, marinades, spice mixes

• Food Industry: Hot sauces, canned products, dried spice blends

• Pharmaceuticals: Capsaicin used in pain relief creams, anti-inflammatory products

• Cosmetics: Used in weight-loss and slimming creams

• Preservation: Natural antimicrobial properties for food preservation

HS Codes

• 09042110 – Dried chilli, whole

• 09042120 – Dried chilli, crushed or ground

• 07096000 – Fresh or chilled chilli peppers

Top Export Destinations

• Europe: UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain

• North America: USA, Canada

• Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

• Asia: India, China, South Korea

Market Value

• Global chilli pepper trade is worth over $7 billion annually

• Nigeria ranks among Africa’s top producers but has untapped export potential

• High demand in UK & US African/Caribbean stores and spice processing industries

Exporter’s Tip: Buyers prefer low-moisture, well-dried, mold-free chilli peppers with uniform size and color. Premium markets pay extra for organic-certified chilli and hygienically processed powders.