It is a Capsicum anuum L. kind of Capsicum and family of Solanaceae just like pepper, tomato and eggplant. The homeland of pepper is accepted to be South America and it was spread to world from here.  American Indians are known to grow pepper in the vicinity of Mexico, Chile and Peru during the discovery of America (1493).  South America, especially Brazil, is the origin center of pepper kinds and forms.

According to date of the year 2004, Turkey is placed 3rd in the vegetable production in the world with the share of 3,06% with 25 671 517 ton.   Pepper production of the world in 2004 was 24 million ton and the first three places were shared by China with 12 million ton, Mexico with 1,85 million ton and Turkey with 1,76 million ton, and the total share of them was 7,44%.

Greenhouse pepper production is 315 108 ton in the year 2003 in our country and this constitutes approximately 18% of the total pepper production. Antalya made a contribution of 11% to national pepper production by the total production of 181 000 ton. 127 000 ton of it was greenhouse production and the remaining 54 000 ton was open field production.  In our city, pepper is grown in Kumlucu, Finike and Demre more than other vicinities. The share of pepper cultivation in the greenhouse vegetable cultivation is nearly 15%.

Its profit rate is higher than the other kinds as the ecological requirements are ensured, heating is provided in winter and high-efficient hybrid kinds are used, and its profit/cost rate may be up to 60%. It is a kind which has the second highest export potential after tomato.  Pepper export of Turkey was 50.110 ton and 44,5 million USD in 2004.  Countries to which we export more are Russia, Germany, Poland and other European countries.

Pepper, among the edible vegetables, is the one which is consumed in many different ways. As well as it is consumed as fresh, pickle, grilled, frozen, sauce, pepper paste, conserved, pepper extract and spice, it is also used in medicine and dye production.

It is an important vegetable in terms of health and nutrition. It is good for nerves, stomach and adenos. It works up an appetite and is helpful to digestion. It is diuretic. It is used for sea sickness, muscle pain and rheumatism. It regulates bloodstream and blood pressure.

As well as the various minerals and vitamins it contains, its bitter kinds has capsaicin alkaloid which gives the bitter and burning taste and has the anti-oxidant feature.   It’s a vegetable kind which is rich in C vitamin.

The most consumed and appropriate traditional pepper kinds within country are long green pepper, Charleston, sweet bell pepper and capia (oil pepper). In the production intended for export, yellow, whitish hungarian type and big sweet bell peppers are preferred.  High-efficiency and quality, resistance to diseases and pests, tolerance to low temperatures, early riser, appropriateness to market requirements, long shell life, appropriateness to time when it is growth are the demanded criteria in kind selection.   Its ability of adaptation to different climate and soil conditions should be high.