Black Currant Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

Key Points

• Specific black currant price data from 2020 to 2025 in the U.S. is not publicly available, likely due to their niche market status.

• Prices may range from $2 to $4 per pound, similar to other specialty berries, based on general fruit price trends.

• Production is limited, mainly in states like New York, following historical bans lifted in recent decades.

Price Overview

Black currant prices in the U.S. from 2020 to 2025 are not tracked in detail by standard agricultural reports, suggesting they vary by region and are not widely traded at major markets. Research suggests prices might align with other berries, potentially falling between $2 and $4 per pound, though exact figures are hard to confirm without specific data.

Historical Context and Production

Black currants were introduced to North America by English settlers in 1629, with significant cultivation in New York by the late 19th century. However, in 1911, the federal government banned their cultivation, sale, and transport due to their role as a host for white pine blister rust, a fungus threatening the timber industry. This ban was lifted in 1966, with many states, including New York, maintaining restrictions until around 2003. The lifting of bans, particularly in New York, led to a revival, with reports indicating 67 farms growing black currants by 2007, 20 in the Hudson Valley alone Welcome back black currants: Forbidden fruit making a comeback in New York. This resurgence is driven by ideal growing conditions, such as the rocky, shale-infused soil and cold hours required, making regions like the Hudson Valley suitable.

Despite this, black currant production remains limited compared to mainstream crops, with commercial activity concentrated in niche markets. This is evident from sources like CurrantC™, a Hudson Valley farm specializing in black currants, offering products like juice and frozen currants, highlighting their small-scale, specialty nature.

Unexpected Detail: Niche Market Impact

An unexpected aspect is how their niche status means prices are likely set by small-scale farmers or specialty markets, possibly higher than mainstream berries due to rarity and demand for health benefits, like high vitamin C content.

Estimated Price Range

While exact prices are elusive, research suggests they may align with other specialty berries. General fruit price trends indicate blueberries and raspberries, for example, have ranged from $2 to $4 per pound in recent years, based on USDA data for similar crops. Given black currants' rarity and demand for health benefits—reported to have four times more vitamin C than oranges and twice the antioxidants of blueberries The incredible story of the black currant and why it is banned in the US—prices could be at the higher end, potentially exceeding $4 per pound in specialty markets.

Regional Variations and Market Dynamics

Production is concentrated in states like New York, with farms like CurrantC™ offering insights into local sales. The evidence leans toward prices being set by small-scale farmers, possibly through direct sales or specialty distributors, rather than large wholesale markets. This is supported by mentions of farm-specific products, such as frozen currants and juice, suggesting a direct-to-consumer model that may command premium prices due to rarity and health benefits.

Inflation and agricultural trends, such as those noted in USDA forecasts for other crops Food Price Outlook - Summary Findings | Economic Research Service, could influence prices, but specific impacts on black currants are unclear. Given their niche status, supply constraints or increased demand for superfoods might push prices upward, especially in 2025, though data is lacking.

Conclusion

In summary, black currant prices from 2020 to 2025 in the U.S. are not readily available through public sources, reflecting their niche market status. Estimated prices may range from $2 to $4 per pound, aligning with other specialty berries, but could be higher due to rarity and demand. Production, primarily in New York, remains small-scale, with prices likely set by farmers or specialty markets, influenced by regional and health-driven demand.