Gooseberry
Ribes grossularia (syn. R. uva-crispa / R. hirtellum)
Gooseberry (Ribes spp.) is a cold-hardy perennial berry shrub suitable for Zones 3-8, producing tart berries in early summer. Prefers cool, moist sites with well-drained soil. Operators should verify local Ribes regulations — historic white pine blister rust restrictions still apply in some jurisdictions.
Crop Snowflake Score
/acre
/acre
/acre
years
Overview
Growing Season
- Plant
- Early spring or fall – Early spring or fall
- Harvest
- June – June
- Frost-free days
- 120+
- GDD (base 50°F)
- 1,500
Yield
- Typical yield
- 4,000 lbs/acre
- Productive lifespan
- 15 years
- Years to full prod.
- 3
Market Fit
Active Regional Buyers
Limited or developing buyer network in this region
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
Market Channels
Climate Fit
Hardiness Zone Match
Region's hardiness zone within crop range (3.0-8.0)
GDD Sufficient
Regional GDD (2600) meets crop requirement (1500)
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
Soil Compatibility
Soil Texture
Drainage
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
Equipment Requirements
planting
General purpose tractor for site prep, mowing, and compost spreading. Shared across small fruit operations.
For initial soil preparation and incorporating amendments. PTO-driven or walk-behind.
irrigation
Per-acre cost. Drip reduces foliar disease pressure vs overhead. Consistent moisture critical during fruit development.
spraying
For fungicide applications critical to managing powdery mildew. Backpack for under 1 acre; boom for larger plantings.
harvesting
Per-worker cost. All gooseberry cultivars have thorns. Durable leather or nitrile-coated gloves essential.
Shallow flats prevent crushing. Picking buckets with harness free both hands for hand harvest.
post_harvest
Prompt cooling to 32-34°F essential for commercial fresh market sales.
cultivation
Annual pruning critical for disease management and air circulation. Heavy-duty bypass pruners for thorny canes.
Storage Requirements
Fresh cold storage
Temperature
31–32°F
Humidity
90–95%
Max Storage
28 days
Frozen (whole berries)
Temperature
-10–0°F
Max Storage
365 days
Finance Fit
Revenue Above Average
Gross revenue ($20,000/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
Revenue per labor hour ($1,333) is competitive
Grants/Subsidies
Grant and subsidy programs available (Specialty Crop Block Grant, EQIP, Beginning Farmer, etc.)
Economics Breakdown
| Avg Price/Unit | $3/per pint |
| Gross Revenue/Acre | $20,000 |
| Annual Operating Cost | $4,500/acre |
| Establishment Cost | $5,500/acre |
| Total Input Cost | $10,000/acre |
| Net Return/Acre | $10,000 |
| 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
Known Risks
disease
Most serious disease of gooseberries. Whitish powdery growth on leaves, shoots, and fruit in early summer. Infected berries crack and may shatter. Overwinters on twigs.
Dark brown spots on leaves causing premature defoliation. Reduces vigor and next-season fruit production. Favored by wet, humid conditions.
Small circular spots with gray centers and dark borders on leaves. Severe infections lead to premature leaf drop and weakened plants.
Gooseberries serve as alternate hosts for this rust devastating to white pines. Some states restrict Ribes planting. Can also damage gooseberry foliage.
pest
Sawfly larvae that can completely defoliate gooseberry bushes in days. Green larvae with black spots feed voraciously starting from bush interior.
Small yellow flies lay eggs in developing fruit. Larvae feed inside berries causing premature drop and unmarketable fruit.
Aphids colonize shoot tips and leaf undersides causing curling and reduced growth. Can build rapidly in spring.
market
Gooseberries have a small niche market in the US. Consumer unfamiliarity limits retail demand.
Nutritional Yield
Macronutrients
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per acre |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 44 kcal | 758,402 kcal |
| Protein | 0.9 g | 15,168 g |
| Total fat | 0.6 g | 9,997 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10.2 g | 175,467 g |
| Fiber | 4.3 g | 74,117 g |
Key micronutrients
Uncertainty: Per-acre values are estimates that compound the yield range, edible-fraction assumption, and a single representative nutrient panel. Treat them as order-of-magnitude planning numbers, not nutritional advice. Confidence: high.
Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem service data pending.
The next research-agent rotation will document this crop's contributions to pollinator support, soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
Nearby Buyers
Data Sources
Every data point on this page is traceable to its source. Below you'll find the complete provenance trail — which sources were used, when data was last verified, and a full change history.
Primary sources: Data sourced from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Penn State Extension, USDA resources, and regional research.
Economics data year: 2025 · Region: lake_erie View economics source →
49 tracked changes across 9 data categories