“The island has a love affair with spicy foods,” says Ramona L. Jones, chief operating officer of Jones & Guerrero Co.

Micronesian Brokers Inc., an affiliate of Jones & Guerrero, started carrying spicy condiments from Heinz when it became Guam’s official Heinz distributor in July last year.

“The Hot & Spicy Heinz Ketchup, infused with Tabasco sauce, is doing exceptionally well in the market,” says Hermie Queja, general manager of Micronesian Brokers Inc. Guam.

Another spicy ketchup popular in the market is the Heinz Sriracha Ketchup introduced together last year, he says.

Spicy products remain popular for snack items as well.

“We’ve noticed that in our Frito-Lay snack line — anything that’s hot and spicy — does so well in the market, like the Cheetos Crunchy Flamin’ Hot and Funyuns Flamin’ Hot,” Queja says.

Spicy flavors sell well for beef jerkies as well, according to Primo Distributors LLC, the exclusive distributor of Jeff’s Famous Beef Jerky.

“We started with 11 flavors. After the first year, we toned it down to six popular flavors. Out of the six, four are spicy. … I’d definitely say the spicy flavors are popular,” says A. Jaron Middleton, general manager of Primo Distributors.

Two of its spicier flavors — Sriracha Style Ghost Pepper and Pacific Red Hot Chili Pepper — were developed in the past year and are very popular, he says. “Our number one seller is the Cranberry Jalapeño.”

Another popular product for Primo Distributors is the local denanche, Pacific Red Hot Peppers, made in Rota.