Storyline: Chili peppers spice up economy in Chinese county [Voice_over] In northwest China's Gansu Province, a local delicacy known as Tianshui Malatang is boosting production of the dish's star ingredient… chili peppers. The spicy hotpot dish gained a following on social media last year and continues to generate sales for chili pepper farmers and processors. The sector has recently expanded its product range from simple chili powder to more than 80 products across seven categories. Food companies say business has been hot. [Sound_bite] Ren Yuqin, general manager, food company： "Last year, we sold over 20,000 bottles of chili oil and signed long-term orders with many restaurants and companies from the supply chain. Some of our clients purchased over 50 tons of our products." [Voice_over] Other food companies say sales channels- like livestreaming-have been central to their success. [Sound_bite] Xie Gong, general manager, agricultural tech company： "We receive more than 300 orders every day, and the chilies are shipped nationwide by courier. Last year, 33 percent of our products went to Sichuan and Chongqing in southwest China for hotpot bases, 21 percent to major cities like Beijing and Shanghai." [Voice_over] According to officials from county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau, the chili industry was valued about 130 million U.S. dollars at the end of last year and is expected to be worth 158 million by the end of this year. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]