[CH] New Mexican Chile Harvest
Kit Anderson (kitridge@bigfoot.com)
Thu, 01 Jul 1999 20:34:41 -0400
This just in. Film at 11.
Worrisome Times For Chili Lovers
Updated 12:12 PM ET July 1, 1999
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Reuters) - A mysterious virus is expected to destroy
80
percent of the chili crop in southern New Mexico, the home of nearly
half of
the fiery peppers consumed in the United States, officials said. State
agriculture officials said it was too early to say what impact the
disease,
called curly top virus, would have on prices consumers pay for whole
chilies
as well as salsa and other chili condiments. "It's a very significant
problem, and experts are working to see what's causing it," said Erik
Ness,
spokesman for the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau.
--
Kit