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Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Elderberry |
| Scientific name | Sambucus nigra |
| Family / Genus | Adoxaceae / — |
| Produce category | Berry |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| AGROVOC URI | c_2595 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 15.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adams | — | One of the oldest and most reliable cultivars. Vigorous growth, high yield of large, dark purple berries. Excellent for juice, wine, and jams. Requires cross-pollination. |
| York | — | Very productive cultivar with large, dark berries that ripen late in the season. Good for processing into juice and wine. Often planted with ‘Adams’ for cross-pollination. |
| Nova | — | A cross between ‘Adams’ and ‘York’. Partially self-fertile, producing large berries with good yield. Ripens earlier than ‘York’. Good for fresh eating and processing. |
| Johns | — | Very vigorous and productive cultivar, known for early ripening and large berries. Excellent for juice and wine production. Requires cross-pollination. |
| Bob Gordon | — | A selection of American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) known for high yields, heat tolerance, and disease resistance. Berries are good for processing. |
| Wyldewood | — | Another high-yielding American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) selection. Known for its exceptional productivity, heat tolerance, and suitability for mechanical harvesting and processing. |
| Ranch | — | A cold-hardy cultivar with good yields of smaller berries, primarily used for processing. Known for its adaptability to various climates. |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: null°F.
- Freezing point: 30.2°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 4 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Sensitivity class | moderate |
| Sensitivity threshold | 0.1 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Store away from ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables.
Mixed-load compatibility
Ethylene-sensitive, high moisture, odor-absorbing
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? No
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Strong upward trend, particularly for health and wellness applications (supplements, functional foods) and culinary uses. Consumer awareness of immune-boosting properties is a key driver.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.8 |
| Income elasticity | 0.7 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -0.5 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Adams | 30% |
| York | 25% |
| Nova | 20% |
| Samdal | 10% |
| Sambu | 5% |
| Other | 10% |
Pack sizes
- 6 oz clamshell
- 1 pint clamshell
- 1 lb bag (frozen)
- 5 lb bag (frozen/dried)
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
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