China hurting New Mexico's chili sales

Chili harvesting has dropped in New Mexico as a result of foreign competition.

"It's an uphill battle," chili farmer Edward Ogaz said.

Ogaz has been in the chili business for more than 15 years, and his family has been in it for generations throughout New Mexico.

Ogaz said that growing chilies is a staple in the Land of Enchantment and a source of pride, but lately, foreign competitors have been making it harder for local farmers to keep up.

The New Mexico Chile Association said that China in particular has become a major exporter of red chilies.

"It seems like our foreign competitors have chosen chili," Ogaz said. "Apparently, it's very profitable in those other countries, so they are moving in that direction, which affects us in New Mexico."

The NMCA said that the harvesting of chilies in New Mexico has dropped more than 60 percent over the last 10 years. Eighty-two percent of chili consumption in the country came from outside the U.S.

"It's becoming more and more difficult to justify growing chili," Ogaz said.

Ogaz said that the government should enforce stricter import regulations.

"We need stronger import laws or taxes," Ogaz said.

Ogaz said that farmers have been pushing legislators to require the "New Mexico" brand on chili to be legitimate because many outsourced companies falsely use the state's claim to chili to market their own products.

"You'll see sidewalk stands that say it's Hatch chili, but a lot of it really isn't," Ogaz said.

Ogaz said that struggles with water and labor laws are also making it harder for chili farmers to get earn a living.