This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = zucchini(GDF v2.0, 3262 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 | Zucchini |
| Scientific name | Cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica |
| Family / Genus | Cucurbitaceae / Cucurbita |
| Produce category | Cucurbit |
| Produce subcategory | Summer Squash |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4067 |
| PLU — organic | 94067 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_8433 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 150.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black Beauty | 35% | Dark green to black skin, classic cylindrical shape, vigorous plant, excellent flavor, 6-8 inches optimal harvest length |
| Dunja | 15% | Medium green color, uniform cylindrical shape, excellent yields, open plant habit for easy harvest, parthenocarpic |
| Spineless Beauty | 12% | Dark green fruit, nearly spineless plants for easier harvest, uniform shape, high yields, disease resistant |
| Costata Romanesco | 8% | Ribbed, nutty flavor, pale green with darker stripes, Italian heritage, best harvested small (4-6 inches), specialty/farmers market favorite |
| Elite | 10% | Medium dark green, cylindrical uniform fruit, concentrated early yields, open plant architecture, powdery mildew tolerance |
| Floridor | 6% | Light green color, very uniform, French variety, smooth skin, excellent disease package including ZYMV resistance |
| Ambassador | 5% | Very dark green, excellent uniformity, smooth straight fruit, strong plant with good disease resistance |
| Goldilocks | 3% | Golden yellow color, maintains color when mature, mild flavor, cylindrical shape, specialty/niche market |
| Raven | 3% | Very dark green, smooth skin, cylindrical uniform fruit, early maturity, concentrated set |
| Dark Star | 3% | Dark green, spineless, compact open plant habit, early production, good disease resistance including PM and ZYMV |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: 45°F.
- Freezing point: 30.9°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 5 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | moderate |
| Production rate (20°C) | 5 µL/kg·hr typical (3.5–7) |
| Sensitivity class | low |
| Sensitivity threshold | 10 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Zucchini produces moderate ethylene but is not sensitive to it. Storage temperature management (avoid <45°F) is far more critical than ethylene management for maintaining quality
Mixed-load compatibility
Group 3 - Moderate ethylene producer, chilling sensitive. Compatible with other cucurbits, peppers, eggplant. Incompatible with ethylene-sensitive items and products requiring <45°F
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? No
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Growing steadily at 2-3% annually driven by health-conscious consumers, Mediterranean diet popularity, low-carb/keto trends (zucchini noodles/spiralized), and ethnic cuisine adoption. Foodservice demand rebounded post-pandemic. Retail demand strongest in summer but year-round availability maintains consistent base demand.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.75 |
| Income elasticity | 0.35 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -0.45 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Green/Black Beauty (dark green) | 65% |
| Yellow/Golden | 18% |
| Specialty (striped, round, heirloom) | 12% |
| Organic mixed varieties | 5% |
Pack sizes
- Standard bushel carton (18-22 lbs)
- Half-bushel (10-12 lbs)
- 15 lb cartons
- 25 lb bulk boxes
- Retail clamshells 1-1.5 lb
- Consumer bags 2-3 lb
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T22:30:00.000Z.