Customs officers from Jiuquan Customs, under Lanzhou Customs, inspect chili powder products for export. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chili powder produced in Jiuquan, Gansu province, is gaining traction abroad as tariff adjustments and rising demand help Chinese exporters expand their foothold in the United States market.

From January to April, Gansu Xinong Food Technology exported 37.49 million yuan ($5.5 million) worth of chili powder to the US, up 627 percent year-on-year, according to Jiuquan Customs.

Industry insiders attributed the sharp growth partly to US trade policy changes. In November 2025, the United States removed so-called "reciprocal" tariffs on 237 categories of imported goods, including chili powder, reducing export costs for Chinese food-processing companies.

"The tariff adjustment has made our products much more price-competitive in the US market," said Wei Sitian, manager of the company, adding that negotiations are underway with several American food firms.

To meet rising demand, the company has invested 250 million yuan in a new chili-processing industrial park in Jiuquan, designed as a major base for processing, exports, and warehousing.

The company said international demand has expanded beyond major food manufacturers to seasoning producers and catering supply-chain firms, driven partly by growing orders from Chinese restaurants abroad.

Wei said the products comply with strict European Union standards on pesticide residues and food safety, helping them gain wider international recognition.

Customs authorities have introduced measures to support exports, including guidance on US Food and Drug Administration regulations and a WeChat-based platform providing updated foreign trade requirements.