This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = broccoli(GDF v2.0, 3384 attributes, 28 sections).Renderer:
commodity_profile_rendererv1.0.0. Source row version:knowledge_forge_gdf_v2.0_export_2026-04-06.
Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Broccoli |
| Scientific name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
| Family / Genus | Brassicaceae / Brassica |
| Produce category | Cruciferous |
| Produce subcategory | Brassica |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 3082 |
| PLU — organic | 93082 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_1071 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 200.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 18% | Industry standard hybrid, excellent dome shape, medium-large heads (1.5-2 lbs), tight beads, blue-green color, good heat tolerance, 60-65 days to harvest |
| Emerald Crown | 15% | Very popular commercial variety, excellent uniformity, dark blue-green color, medium heads, good side shoot production, heat tolerant, 58-63 days |
| Belstar | 12% | High-quality commercial hybrid, large domed heads, excellent bead quality, cold tolerant, vigorous plant, 66-78 days, popular in California |
| Imperial | 10% | Premium commercial variety, very large heads (2-3 lbs), excellent uniformity, deep blue-green, extended harvest window, 65-70 days |
| Patron | 9% | Commercial favorite, excellent head quality, medium-large size, tight beads, good heat tolerance, uniform maturity, 65-68 days |
| Brigadier | 8% | Strong commercial performer, large uniform heads, excellent cold tolerance, good storage quality, 68-75 days, winter production |
| Eastern Magic | 7% | Eastern US adapted variety, medium heads, good heat tolerance, reliable performer, excellent side shoots, 60-65 days |
| Gypsy | 6% | Popular commercial hybrid, medium-sized heads, excellent uniformity, heat tolerant, early maturity, 55-60 days, good for successive plantings |
| Packman | 5% | Classic commercial variety, large central heads, excellent side shoot production, heat tolerant, reliable, 50-55 days, home garden crossover |
| Lieutenant | 4% | Premium commercial variety, large uniform heads, excellent bead structure, good cold tolerance, 70-75 days, late season |
| Green Magic | 3% | Reliable commercial variety, medium heads, good uniformity, heat tolerant, 60-64 days, broad adaptability across regions |
| Destiny | 2% | Commercial variety for fall/winter production, large heads, cold tolerant, good storage, 75-80 days |
| Waltham 29 | 1% | Heritage open-pollinated variety, medium heads, good cold tolerance, reliable, 74 days, declining commercial use but still grown |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: null°F.
- Freezing point: 30.9°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 5 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | low |
| Production rate (20°C) | 4 µL/kg·hr typical (2–6) |
| Sensitivity class | high |
| Sensitivity threshold | 0.5 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: CRITICAL: Broccoli yellowing within 24-48 hours of ethylene exposure at 1-10 ppm. Cold chain integrity and ethylene-free environment are essential for maintaining quality.
Mixed-load compatibility
brassica_group_1
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? Yes
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Steady growth driven by health consciousness and versatile culinary applications; organic segment growing faster than conventional at 8-12% annually
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.65 |
| Income elasticity | 0.35 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -0.42 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Standard Green Calabrese | 75% |
| Purple/Sprouting | 8% |
| Broccolini/Baby Broccoli | 10% |
| Romanesco | 3% |
| Other Specialty | 4% |
Pack sizes
- 20 lb carton (standard)
- 14 lb carton
- 18-20 bunches per case
- 12 oz clamshells (retail)
- 1 lb bags florets
- 2 lb bags
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T22:30:00.000Z.