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Spice & other

Chili: what can it become?

Chili peppers can be sold dried, ground into powder, or made into sauces and mashes.

  1. Raw chili
  2. Processing
  3. Value-added products
  4. Packaging
  5. Markets
  6. Customers

Drying and processing can help chili be kept and sold for longer. Spices dried on the ground in the open, in poor hygiene, can grow moulds, and a CTA working paper reports mould-related toxins (aflatoxin), at low levels, in dried hot pepper samples from West Africa. Clean, quick drying off the ground, careful sorting and dry packing protect both safety and quality.

What can chili become?

Dried chili

Ripe chili peppers dried whole.

Processing
Sort out damaged or mouldy pods, then dry them clean and off the ground, using solar or powered dryers where possible. Dry thoroughly before packing.
Equipment
  • Sorting table
  • Raised drying racks or trays
  • Solar or powered dryer
  • Clean covers or nets
Packaging
Clean, dry, food-safe bags or sacks that keep out moisture.
Storage
Dry store, off the floor, away from damp and pests; check stock regularly.
Customer types
  • Spice traders
  • Food processors
  • Market traders
  • Households
Distribution
Sold to traders and processors, or directly at markets.
Possible business models
  • Own small processing unit
  • Contract processing for farmers
  • Buy-process-resell

Chili powder

Dried chili ground into powder.

Processing
Use well-dried, sorted pods. Grind and sieve, packing soon after because ground spices take up moisture quickly. Grind in a separate room that can be easily cleaned.
Equipment
  • Grinder or mill
  • Sieve
  • Scale
  • Packing table
  • Sealer
Packaging
Airtight, moisture-protective packs with a clear label.
Storage
Dry, off the floor, away from damp.
Customer types
  • Households
  • Food processors
  • Shops and kiosks
  • Caterers
Distribution
Local shops and markets, or bulk sales to processors.
Possible business models
  • Own small processing unit
  • Contract processing for farmers
  • Buy-process-resell

Chili sauce

Chili peppers made into a sauce.

Processing
Chili peppers can be made into sauce. Sort and wash the peppers and keep everything clean. No specific method is given here.
Equipment
  • Washing area
  • Blender or mill
  • Cooking pot and stove
  • Clean bottles or jars
  • Capper or lids
Packaging
Clean, well-sealed bottles or jars with a clear label.
Storage
Keep containers closed and stored in a clean place.
Customer types
  • Households
  • Restaurants
  • Street-food vendors
  • Shops
Distribution
Local shops, markets, restaurants and vendors.
Possible business models
  • Own small kitchen unit
  • Supply to vendors and restaurants
  • Buy-process-resell

Chili mash and pickled chili

Chili preserved as mash or in pickle form.

Processing
Chili peppers can be preserved as mash or pickled. Sort and wash the peppers and keep everything clean. No specific method is given here.
Equipment
  • Washing area
  • Mill or grinder
  • Mixing containers
  • Clean jars or containers
Packaging
Clean, tightly closed containers with a label.
Storage
Keep containers closed and stored in a clean place.
Customer types
  • Food processors
  • Restaurants
  • Sauce makers
  • Shops
Distribution
Sold in bulk to processors and kitchens, or in small packs to shops.
Possible business models
  • Own small processing unit
  • Supply to sauce makers
  • Buy-process-resell

The customers, routes to market, business models and many practical tips on this page are suggestions, not findings. Know something better? Suggest an improvement →

Business opportunities around chili

Sources and further reading

The handling, processing and storage information on this page draws on the sources below. The lists of customers, distribution routes and business models are practical suggestions, not findings from these sources. Links open in a new tab.

Examples describe possibilities, not guaranteed results. Prices, demand and rules vary by country and season — verify locally.