This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = cauliflower(GDF v2.0, 3392 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 | Cauliflower |
| Scientific name | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis |
| Family / Genus | Brassicaceae / Brassica |
| Produce category | Cruciferous |
| Produce subcategory | Brassica |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4079 |
| PLU — organic | 94079 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_1467 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 150.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Snow Crown | 18% | Early maturing hybrid (50-55 days), excellent heat tolerance, uniform white heads 7-8 inches, self-blanching with good wrapper leaves, industry standard for spring/fall production |
| Graffiti | 8% | Purple cauliflower, 75-85 days, retains color when cooked, high anthocyanin content, 6-7 inch heads, excellent for specialty markets |
| Cheddar | 7% | Orange cauliflower, 58-68 days, high beta-carotene (25x more than white), maintains color when cooked, 6-7 inch heads, requires minimal blanching |
| Snowball Y Improved | 15% | Heirloom-type open-pollinated, 68-75 days, 6-8 inch pure white heads, requires manual blanching, traditional variety still used by small growers |
| Amazing | 12% | Mid-season hybrid (75-80 days), 7-9 inch large uniform heads, excellent for California and Arizona production, good heat tolerance, strong wrapper leaves |
| Skywalker | 10% | Premium quality hybrid, 78-82 days, extra-white smooth curds, 7-8 inch heads, excellent uniformity, strong performance in cool conditions |
| Veronica Romanesco | 4% | Lime-green fractal spiraled heads, 75-90 days, 4-6 inch heads, nuttier flavor than white cauliflower, specialty/gourmet market |
| Bishop | 11% | Late-season hybrid (85-95 days), large 8-10 inch heads, excellent for long-season production, superior cold tolerance, California commercial standard |
| White Cloud | 8% | Mid-season hybrid (70-75 days), 6-7 inch very white heads, excellent uniformity, self-blanching, good for fresh market and processing |
| Flame Star | 3% | Bright orange hybrid, 80-85 days, 6-7 inch heads, intense color retention, higher in beta-carotene than Cheddar, specialty market |
| Depurple | 4% | Deep purple hybrid, 85 days, maintains color better than Graffiti, 6-8 inch heads, high uniformity, growing specialty market share |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: null°F.
- Freezing point: 30.6°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 4 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Production rate (20°C) | 0.5 µL/kg·hr typical (0.1–1) |
| Sensitivity class | low |
| Sensitivity threshold | 10 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Cauliflower is not significantly affected by typical ethylene levels but will exhibit accelerated yellowing at very high concentrations (>10 ppm).
Mixed-load compatibility
brassica_high_humidity_cold
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? Yes
- Light-sensitive? Yes
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Growing steadily at 3-4% annually driven by rice alternatives (cauliflower rice), low-carb diets, and plant-based movement. Foodservice demand recovering post-pandemic. Colored varieties showing strongest growth in specialty channels.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.68 |
| Income elasticity | 0.42 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -0.85 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| White/Snowball | 75% |
| Romanesco | 8% |
| Purple | 5% |
| Orange/Cheddar | 4% |
| Green | 3% |
| Other Specialty | 5% |
Pack sizes
- 12 count (standard)
- 9 count (jumbo)
- 16 count
- 18 count
- 20 lb bulk
- 25 lb bulk
- 10 oz floret bags
- 12 oz rice bags
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T22:30:00.000Z.