Byadgi chilli is an important ingredient in spicy preparations like Bisi bele bath, sambar, chutneys and other food items of South India and is widely used in the Udupi cuisine. It is also used in meat preparations because of the bright red colour that it imparts to the meat. 25 industries in and around Byadgi are involved in grinding these chillies into powder and selling them to masala manufacturers like MTR Food Products.