Prayagraj: Chilli exports from Prayagraj to Gulf countries have stalled due to the West Asia conflict, hitting local farmers who steadily built a profitable overseas market over the past few years.Since 2017, farmers from the district, especially those from Bahadurpur block, have been exporting chilli to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, with demand rising consistently. Between 2019 and 2024, there has been a steady increase in production, export volume and earnings. In 2019, around 375 quintals of chilli were exported, generating an income of about Rs 7.5 lakh. This figure rose to 630 quintals in 2024, with earnings reaching Rs 12.60 lakh. However, in 2025, exports dipped slightly to 540 quintals, bringing in Rs 11.88 lakh.Farmers said the produce was carefully processed and packed in 5.5 kg and 3.5 kg packets to meet export standards. A Bahadurpur farmer, Umesh Singh, explained that an additional 100 grams was included in each packet to account for moisture loss during transit. He added that several institutions played a key role in training farmers, standardising packaging, and facilitating access to international markets, which helped boost exports over the years.However, the current geopolitical tensions in the Gulf have disrupted supply chains and stalled shipments entirely, leaving farmers worried about unsold produce and declining incomes. “We are already facing the problem concerning chilli, and the situation could worsen in the coming days as many farmers of the Bahadurpur block export other vegetables, such as okra, and the business is at risk as sowing is currently underway and uncertainty persists,” said Singh.District horticulture officer Saurabh Srivastava said if international conditions do not stabilise soon, the impact on farmers could be long-term. He emphasised the need to explore alternative domestic and international markets to minimise the loss faced by the farmers.
