Elderberries are a successful niche crop at a crossroads: go big or stay small
Elderberries are a successful niche crop at a crossroads: go big or stay small
Elderberries are native to the Midwest, but the commercial cultivation of the crop is relatively recent, and saw a big increase during the coronavirus pandemic. That has the burgeoning industry wondering if its future is as a small, niche crop or something bigger.
Something bigger; as someone who has used the extract for over a decade
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.
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.
As long as your father does not smell of elderberry wine, it's all good.