Crop Profile for Peppers in North Carolina
Prepared: December 1999
Revised: June 2005
General Production Information
● North Carolina ranked fifth nationally in the production of bell peppers in 2003, representing 3.7 percent
of U. S. production. A total of 600,000 cwt. of bell peppers were produced in North Carolina.
● In 2003, 5,000 acres of fresh market bell peppers were harvested in North Carolina.
● In 2003, 500,000 cwt. of fresh market bell peppers were produced in North Carolina for a value of
$12,500,000.
● The majority of the industry is focused on bell pepper production for the fresh market. Processing
peppers account for less than 20% of North Carolina production.
Production Regions
The majority of the pepper crop is produced in the central Coastal Plain. Prominent counties include Sampson,
Duplin, Wayne, Pender and Columbus counties. Pepper production is also important in the western part of the
state in Henderson County.
Cultural Practices
Two types of production systems are common for peppers. The first is a plasticulture system that depends on the
use of methyl bromide in the spring to fumigate raised beds. The raised beds are covered with black plastic and
a buried drip irrigation line is placed down the center. Transplants are planted in double rows per bed. Fertility
includes pre-plant applications, with an emphasis on applying the recommended amount of potassium and
phosphorous. Nitrogen pre-plant applications are complemented with nitrogen and potassium added through the