Currant (Black and Red)
Ribes nigrum (black), Ribes rubrum (red)
Black (Ribes nigrum) and red (Ribes rubrum) currants are hardy perennial shrubs suitable for Zone 6a, producing tart berries for jams and juices; black varieties yield higher and require resistant cultivars in NY due to past restrictions now lifted for resistant types. They prefer moist, well-drained acidic soils and cool conditions, with legal growing allowed in NY for red and resistant black since 2003.
Crop Snowflake Score
/acre
/acre
/acre
years
Overview
Growing Season
- Plant
- Early fall or early spring – Early fall or early spring
- Harvest
- June (2 weeks) – June (2 weeks)
- Frost-free days
- 120+
- GDD (base 50°F)
- 160
Yield
- Typical yield
- 1,500 lbs/acre
- Productive lifespan
- 10 years
- Years to full prod.
- 3
Market Fit
Active Regional Buyers
Emerging crop with growing buyer network
Price Trend Stable/Up
Price trending upward due to growing demand
Supply Below Demand
Strong unmet demand regionally and nationally
Multiple Buyer Channels
Multiple market channels: wholesale, retail, processing, and/or direct
Value-Added Potential
Strong value-added potential through processing, direct sales, or specialty products
Market Growth Projected
Strong market growth projected
Climate Fit
Hardiness Zone Match
Zone 6a within crop range (3.0-8.0)
GDD Sufficient
Regional GDD (2600) meets crop requirement (160)
Precipitation Compatible
Regional precipitation (~40 in/yr) compatible with crop needs
Frost-Free Season OK
Frost-free season (160 days) meets crop requirement (120 days)
Chill Hours Met
Regional chill hours (1100) meet crop requirement (800+)
Climate Trend Favorable
Climate projections remain favorable for this crop in the region
Infrastructure Fit
Equipment Compatible
Standard farm equipment compatible or easily adapted
Storage Available
Specialized or limited storage; perishable product needs immediate handling
Irrigation Compatible
Low water needs or rain-fed viable
Field Layout Suitable
Vineyard field layouts suitable for this crop
Labor Availability
High labor requirements; seasonal labor availability may be challenging
Processing Proximity
No nearby specialized processing; may need direct marketing or shipping
Finance Fit
Revenue Above Average
Gross revenue ($14,000/acre) exceeds regional average
Input Costs Acceptable
Input costs are low to moderate
Payback Period OK
Reaches full production in 3 years; acceptable payback
Insurance Available
No federal crop insurance; NAP may be available for some disaster scenarios
Revenue Per Labor Hour
Labor-intensive; revenue per labor hour may be modest
Grants/Subsidies
Grant and subsidy programs available (Specialty Crop Block Grant, EQIP, Beginning Farmer, etc.)
Economics Breakdown
| Avg Price/Unit | $9/per lb wholesale |
| Gross Revenue/Acre | $14,000 |
| Annual Operating Cost | —/acre |
| Establishment Cost | —/acre |
| Total Input Cost | —/acre |
| Net Return/Acre | — |
| Revenue/Labor Hour | — |
| Crop Insurance | Not available |
Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA RMA, regional budget studies (2025)
Risk Fit
Manageable Pest/Disease
Moderate pest/disease pressure; manageable with available methods
Market Diversified
Market access diversified across multiple channels
Low Establishment Risk
Low establishment risk; quick to establish or low upfront investment
Climate Resilient
Hardy and resilient to climate variability in the region
Regulatory Burden Low
Minimal regulatory burden for production and sale
Diversifies Portfolio
Diversifies farm revenue away from grape monoculture
Risk data for this crop is being collected. Check back soon.
Nearby Buyers
Data sources: Data sourced from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA resources, and regional research.
Economics data year: 2025 · Region: Lake Erie (lake_erie)