Jalisco has three products with a designation of origin: tequila, raicilla, and the Yahualica chili.
The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property published in 2018 the General Declaration of Denomination of Origin of this nightshade with deep roots in Jalisco food.
The certification of Yahualica chile orchards based on what is established by NOM for this product, is a challenge that, when met, brings with it a profitable scenario in a consumer segment that demands certified products. The NOM establishes the characteristics of the Yahualica chili, in fresh or dry state. Four specifications are determined for its quality. The Premium or Extra specification establishes that the chili must be free of rot, stains and pests (for example: weevil, whitefly, mealybug, mite and aphid.)
Thie head of the Jalisco office of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER,) Salvador Álvarez García, said that there is a concrete proposal to producers of a certification scheme in good practices that also guarantees a verifiable quality of the chile throughout its production, drying, and storage process, and thereby can access a more profitable market.
In turn, the director of Hortofrutícola Development of the agency, Néstor Olivares Mora, said that the certification would be in the productive part and the infrastructure surrounding the orchards, such as the areas of use and management of agrochemicals, hygiene of its personnel, and the establishment of signage in the production unit, among other aspects.
He argued that one of the starting points is for producers to guarantee the use of a technological package that ensures good yields and sanitary quality, which has been worked on by the Instituto del Chile on various issues, such as the use of seeds of genetic quality, the use of ferti-irrigation systems, and the prevention and control of pests.
He mentioned that this process requires the intervention of a certifying firm and an accreditation laboratory, both with official recognition, for the certification of properties of interested chili producers to proceed.
He also pointed out that SADER Jalisco has a mediation role between producers and the rest of those involved, including foreign trading companies, both in the United States and in Europe, who are interested in buying certified chili.
The geographical area for the Denomination of Origin of the Yahualica chili is made up of 11 Jalisco municipalities, nine of them located in the Los Altos region of the State of Jalisco and corresponding to: Yahualica de González Gallo, Mexticacán, Teocaltiche, Cañadas de Obregón, Jalostotitlán, Encarnación de Díaz, Villa Hidalgo, Cuquío and Ixtlahuacán del Río; and two Zacatecan municipalities: Nochistlán de Mejía and Apulco.