>> The peppers grown on Avery Island are for seed only. The peppers for the sauce are grown outside the US. <<
Is that unique? Why would the seeds have to be produced in the U.S.? Why can’t they use the seeds they grow in Latin America to grow crops they grow in Latin America?
They outgrew their acreage on Avery Island and made the decision to grow the pepper production offshore and maintain their seed production on site.
Possibly for quality and consistency of the peppers that go to make up the sauce. The seeds not only go to South America, they also go to four countries in Africa. If the locals used seeds produced locally, then the nature of the pepper grown in different countries would eventually change due to local growing conditions and climates. At least that seems reasonable.
I assume the company has for many years studied the traits of peppers that give them the optimum flavor, color, yield, etc... they want. They can control those traits through plant breeding. Once out in the field, over generations of plants, the variety may lose some of those characteristics. As such, McIlhenny controls the seeds, and will continuously provide them to growers to make sure their product remains "pure."
Probably because they are hybrids and the parents are closely held by the family. They only send the seed, which if not produced by crossing with original parents will not produce a pepper that can be used.
It probably has to do with quality control on the final product. I'm sure it helps to have genetic control of the product precursor.
Genetics.
Also, more peppers are required than can be produced on the island. the product purity is maintained by providing seed
Why would the seeds have to be produced in the U.S.? Why can’t they use the seeds they grow in Latin America to grow crops they grow in Latin America?
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Basically, quality control and tuning.