This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = cmd_00158(GDF v2.1.1, ? attributes, 29 sections).Renderer:
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Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Swiss Chard |
| Scientific name | Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris |
| Family / Genus | Amaranthaceae / — |
| Produce category | Leafy Green |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4596 |
| PLU — organic | 94596 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_7459 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 30.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bright Lights | 30% | A popular mix featuring stems in a rainbow of colors (red, pink, orange, yellow, white) with green or bronze leaves. Valued for its ornamental appeal and tender, flavorful leaves and stems. Excellent |
| Fordhook Giant | 20% | A classic, robust variety with large, dark green, heavily savoyed (crinkled) leaves and broad, crisp white stems. Known for its high yields, strong growth, and earthy flavor. Tolerant to heat and wide |
| Rhubarb Chard (Ruby Red) | 15% | Distinguished by its vibrant crimson-red stems and veins, contrasting with dark green, slightly savoyed leaves. Offers a striking visual appeal and a rich, earthy flavor. Good bolt resistance and vigo |
| Lucullus | 10% | An old and reliable variety with light green, heavily crinkled leaves and broad, white stems. Known for its tenderness, mild flavor, and high productivity. A staple for traditional chard growers. |
| Silverado | 8% | Features smooth, dark green leaves and crisp, pure white stems. Valued for its uniform growth, excellent bolt resistance, and mild, sweet flavor. A modern, high-performing green-stemmed variety. |
| Magenta Sunset | 5% | Showcases brilliant magenta-pink stems with contrasting green leaves. Offers a unique and attractive color for culinary dishes and garden displays. Good vigor and flavor profile. |
| Oriole | 4% | A distinctive variety with bright, sunny orange stems and green leaves. Adds another vibrant hue to the colorful chard palette. Known for good flavor and visual appeal. |
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) | 0.05 µL/kg·h typical (0.01–0.1) |
| Sensitivity class | moderate |
| Sensitivity threshold | 0.1 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Keep away from ethylene-producing commodities.
Mixed-load compatibility
Ethylene-sensitive, high respiration
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? Yes
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Increasing, driven by health-conscious consumers, culinary versatility, and interest in diverse leafy greens.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.8 |
| Income elasticity | 0.5 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -1.2 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Rainbow/Bright Lights | 40% |
| Green (e.g., Fordhook Giant, Lucullus) | 35% |
| Red (e.g., Rhubarb Chard) | 25% |
Pack sizes
- 12-count case (bunched)
- 24-count case (bunched)
- 5 oz clamshell/bag
- 8 oz clamshell/bag
- 16 oz clamshell/bag
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
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