Elderberries are a successful niche crop at a crossroads: go big or stay small
https://www.kcur.org/2023-07-13/elderberries-niche-crop-at-crossroads-go-big-or-stay-small
https://www.kcur.org/2023-07-13/elderberries-niche-crop-at-crossroads-go-big-or-stay-small
4 Comments
Cross@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 3y
The answer is in the difficulty of picking elderberry. If there aren't commercial viable ways to harvest large amounts at a time it will stay a small crop in the US, even if it grows overseas due to cheaper labor.
LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net · 3 pts · 3y
Good point, though I wonder if advances in robotics may change that soon? It being such a niche crop, it's not likely equipment would be developed for it specifically, but if generalist robot harvesters are developed, they might have applications.
Kiruko@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 3y
Something bigger; as someone who has used the extract for over a decade
44razorsedge@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y
As long as your father does not smell of elderberry wine, it's all good.