This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = cmd_00200(GDF v2.1.1, ? attributes, 29 sections).Renderer:
commodity_profile_rendererv1.0.0. Source row version:knowledge_forge_gdf_v2.1.1_tier2_cmd_00200.
Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Lotus Root |
| Scientific name | Nelumbo nucifera |
| Family / Genus | Nelumbonaceae / — |
| Produce category | Root Vegetable |
| Produce subcategory | Rhizome |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| AGROVOC URI | c_4483 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 20.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honghu Type (e.g., ‘Honghu’) | 40% | Large, elongated, starchy, and sweet with a slightly pinkish hue. Excellent for soups, stews, and braising due to its high starch content which thickens liquids and provides a creamy texture when cook |
| Ezhou Type (e.g., ‘Ezhou’) | 25% | Medium to large size, offering a good balance of starchiness and crispness. Highly versatile for various cooking methods including stir-frying, braising, and soups. Known for good flavor and consisten |
| Renkon Type (Japanese Crunchy) | 20% | Smaller, firmer, and less starchy than typical Chinese varieties, retaining a distinct crisp texture even after cooking. Ideal for stir-fries, tempura, pickling, and salads where a crunchy bite is des |
| Baimao (White Hair Lotus) | 8% | Distinguished by its tender texture and delicate, slightly sweet flavor. Often harvested younger, resulting in a less fibrous root. Best suited for quick cooking methods or dishes where a softer, more |
| Jinguan (Golden Crown) | 5% | A modern Chinese cultivar developed for high yield and consistent quality. It offers a balanced texture, making it suitable for a wide range of culinary applications. Known for good disease resistance |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Freezing point: 30.5°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 3 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | low |
| Production rate (20°C) | 0.05 uL/kg*h typical (?–?) |
| Sensitivity class | low |
| Sensitivity threshold | 1 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Lotus root is a non-climacteric vegetable and is not significantly affected by ethylene.
Mixed-load compatibility
Non-odor producing, non-ethylene sensitive. Compatible with most produce.
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 growing interest in Asian cuisines and plant-based diets.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.8 |
| Income elasticity | 0.5 |
| Organic premium elasticity | 0 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Standard | 100% |
Pack sizes
- Per piece
- Per pound
- 10 lb case
- 15 lb case
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T23:50:00.000Z.