evidence: The farmers had reasonable profits on dry red chilli sales in the last two years as the stocks were picked up at about Rs 12,000 to Rs 14,000 per quintal. Fine variety chilli was even picked up at Rs 20,000 per quintal during the peak of the season. The farmers could sell even the lowest quality of stock anywhere between Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 per quintal, which is usually picked up for Rs 2,000 per quintal. Despite lockdown restrictions in many states and the Covid-19 outbreak, demand for chilli has gone up in the export market helping farmers gain reasonable amounts. "Any price above Rs 8,000 per quintal is reasonably good and profitable. Farmers got an average price of Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per quintal during the last season due to various factors including crop loss in chilli producing states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka," said Lanka Kranti Sekhar, a chilli exporter. A few farmers who produced high-demand chilli varieties such as Byadgi and Gunturu Sannalu through organic means or clean stock pocketed Rs 20,000 per quintal.