This country ranks alongside Sri Lanka in being notable among Asian producers for the growth in its production of capsicums and chillies since the 1950s.
The actual scale of production in China is difficult to ascertain, but the growth in its export trade indicates that cultivation is extensive. One recent estimate put annual production of fresh chillies at 1m. tonnes and export of the dried spice at 10 000 tonnes.
In 1900-01, 59 per cent of British India’s total exports of chillies and capsicums were destined for Sri Lanka, but this percentage rose progressively over the century until in 1954-5, 98 per cent of India’s total exports were being imported by Sri Lanka, the principal cultivars being ‘Patna’, `Gujerati’, `Nalchatty’, `Muladi’ and `Tuticorin’ (Tables 7.20 and 7.24).
Severe disruption of the South East Asian and Far Eastern trade occurred during the Second World War. After the cessation of hostilities, a rapid recovery occurred and in the post-war period the main flows of trade in chillies and capsicums have been from India and China to Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and from Mexico and Japan to the United States.
From an analysis of Sri Lanka’s import statistics, it appears that India’s dependence on Sri Lanka as an export market was reciprocated by Sri Lanka’s dependence on Indian exports.
In 1930, out of total imports of 7 800 tonnes, India supplied 7 000 tonnes or 88 per cent. In 1933 this proportion rose to 98 per cent and although data are scarce immediately following this period it is thought that this degree of dependence was maintained until the 1950s.
