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Scotch bonnet shortage disrupts Caribbean hot sauce industry
Caribbean hot sauce manufacturers are grappling with a severe shortage of Scotch bonnet peppers, the fiery cornerstone of the region's iconic condiments, as extreme weather and crop diseases drive up costs and threaten exports.
Global demand surges amid supply crisis
Once a staple confined to Caribbean dining tables, hot sauces made from Scotch bonnet peppers have gained international popularity, now stocked in major supermarkets like Walmart in the U.S., Tesco in the U.K., and Woolworths in Australia. However, a perfect storm of hurricanes, pests, and plant diseases has slashed yields of the temperamental yellow chili, forcing producers to cancel orders and raise prices.
Hurricanes and climate woes devastate crops
Jamaica, a leading producer of Scotch bonnets, suffered back-to-back blows from Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and Hurricane Melissa-the island's strongest on record-in October 2025. The storms ravaged farms already struggling with heavy rains and viral outbreaks, pushing many growers to switch to hardier crops like sweet potatoes.
"Our number one pepper sauce is the hardest for us to maintain. We need fresh peppers within a week to preserve that vibrant color, but the weather is always a challenge," said Sean Garbutt of Associated Manufacturers, maker of Jamaica's Walkerswood sauces.
Sean Garbutt, Associated Manufacturers
Walkerswood, which exports over 95% of its products-primarily to the U.S.-shipped the equivalent of 500 20-foot cargo containers last year. Yet Garbutt noted that even taste is affected by climate: "Too much rain dilutes the heat, leaving customers disappointed."
Producers adapt amid soaring costs
Scotch bonnet prices have skyrocketed, with a tenfold spike after Hurricane Melissa and an overall 40-50% increase over two years. Drew Gray of Gray's Pepper, another major Jamaican producer, said farmers are hesitant to replant due to climate risks. "We joke that other countries don't know how to season their food," Gray said. "Hot sauce is non-negotiable here-it's on every table."
To mitigate shortages, Gray's Pepper maintains six months of inventory, a strategy that strained cash flow but kept exports stable. "Big retailers don't care about hurricanes; they just want the product," Gray added. His company's facilities were damaged by Melissa but resumed operations within two weeks.
Regional ripple effects and innovations
Jamaica's Rural Agricultural Development Authority distributed Scotch bonnet seeds to 650 farmers, but Dwight Forrester warned that pests like gall midges and viruses remain persistent threats. "Peppers are a flagship product, but they're highly susceptible," he said. Jamaica exports 40% of its crop, often to neighboring islands.
In Antigua, Homebrew Hot Sauce owner Ensly Smith reduced orders to cope with shortages, while Novella Payne of Granma Aki turned to Trinidad's Moruga scorpion peppers to avoid high costs. "Caribbean sauces are thicker and more flavorful," Smith noted, citing growing demand from tourists.
Future-proofing the fiery tradition
As peak growing season coincides with hurricane season, producers are exploring resilient alternatives. Walkerswood is funding genetic research to develop disease-resistant Scotch bonnets and has partnered with the Jamaican government to cultivate hybrid chili peppers. "Our yellow peppers are special," Garbutt said. "We need to protect them."
