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knowledge.domain = commodity, key = cmd_00220(GDF v2.1.1, ? attributes, 29 sections).Renderer:
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Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Chayote |
| Scientific name | Sechium edule |
| Family / Genus | Cucurbitaceae / — |
| Produce category | Cucurbit |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4719 |
| PLU — organic | 94719 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_1449 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 5.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth Light Green Chayote | 75% | The most common type found in US markets. Characterized by its pear-like shape, smooth, glossy light green skin, and crisp white flesh. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor, making it versatile for va |
| Smooth Dark Green Chayote | 15% | Similar in shape to the light green variety but with a darker, often duller green skin. It tends to have a slightly firmer texture and is sometimes described as having a richer, nuttier flavor. Less c |
| Spiny Green Chayote | 7% | Distinguished by the presence of soft, often numerous spines covering its dark green skin. While less common in mainstream US retail due to handling difficulty, it is prized for its distinct, often mo |
| White Chayote | 3% | Features a pale white to very light green skin, often with a slightly rounder or smaller shape compared to the green varieties. It offers a very mild flavor, sometimes described as subtly sweeter. Les |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: 50°F.
- Freezing point: 30.5°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 3 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | low |
| Sensitivity class | moderate |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Chayote is non-climacteric and produces very little ethylene. It is moderately sensitive to exogenous ethylene, which can cause yellowing and accelerated senescence, but chilling injury is a more significant concern.
Mixed-load compatibility
Avoid strong ethylene producers due to moderate sensitivity.
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? No
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Stable, niche market with slight growth driven by increasing consumer interest in diverse vegetables and ethnic cuisines.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.5 |
| Income elasticity | 0.2 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -1.2 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Green Smooth | 80% |
| Green Spiny | 15% |
| White | 5% |
Pack sizes
- 20 lb carton
- 40 lb carton
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T23:50:00.000Z.