This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = cmd_00279(GDF v2.1.1, ? attributes, 29 sections).Renderer:
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Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Water Chestnut |
| Scientific name | Eleocharis dulcis |
| Family / Genus | Cyperaceae / — |
| Produce category | Root Vegetable |
| Produce subcategory | Tuber |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4860 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_2527 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 5.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common Commercial Type (Eleocharis dulcis) | 70% | This represents the bulk of water chestnuts imported and sold in the US market. Characterized by crisp, white flesh, a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, and a crunchy texture. Typically round to oval c |
| Mato | 20% | A popular type, often associated with larger corms and a slightly sweeter, more pronounced flavor than the general commercial type. Known for its excellent crispness and good storage qualities. Primar |
| Hon Matai | 8% | A specific cultivar or group of cultivars, sometimes noted for its superior flavor and texture, often considered premium. Corms are typically medium-sized with a very crisp texture and a delicate swee |
| Local/Specialty Selections | 2% | Various regional selections or landraces grown on a smaller scale, sometimes for local markets or specific culinary uses. May exhibit slight variations in size, sweetness, or texture. Not widely diffe |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: null°F.
- Freezing point: 31.1°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 3 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Sensitivity class | very_low |
| Sensitivity threshold | null ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Water chestnuts are non-climacteric and produce very little ethylene. They are also not sensitive to exogenous ethylene.
Mixed-load compatibility
Group 1 (non-ethylene producers/sensitive)
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? Yes
- Light-sensitive? No
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Stable to slightly increasing, driven by ethnic cuisine and health-conscious consumers. Fresh demand is niche.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.8 |
| Income elasticity | 0.5 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -1.2 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Fresh (Eleocharis dulcis) | 5% |
| Canned/Frozen (Processed) | 95% |
Pack sizes
- 10 lb case (fresh)
- 25 lb case (fresh)
- 8 oz cans
- 15 oz cans
- 1 lb frozen bags
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T23:50:00.000Z.