Abstract:

Recent changes in environmental conditions，together with rising labor costs，have led to severe pest and disease outbreaks in China’s traditional pepper-producing regions，including Henan，Hebei，Shanxi，and Shandong，resulting in marked declines in both yield and quality. In contrast，Xinjiang，particularly its southern region，has emerged as an ideal production base and a new strategic hub for the pepper processing industry，owing to its abundant solar radiation，arid climate，and vast stretches of contiguous farmland. This study systematically reviews the rapid development of China’s pepper industry and its six historical shifts in major production areas，identifying southern Xinjiang as the core region of the sixth industrial transition. Furthermore，it examines the industrial foundation and multiple advantages underpinning pepper cultivation in this region and proposes targeted strategies to promote its high-quality and sustainable development. The rapid expansion of the pepper industry in southern Xinjiang is expected to increase farmers’ incomes，accelerate rural revitalization，and enhance China’s global competitiveness in the pepper market.

Key words: Capsicum annuum, Xinjiang, Southern Xinjiang, advantageous pepper cultivation production area, mechanization, large-scale production, yield