Amaranth is used almost exclusively for seed production in the United States, but in other countries, amaranth leaves are used in human consumption by either boiling or eating as greens. The grain amaranth plant usually grows to around five or six feet and is maroon or crimson in color. The seeds of the plant number in the thousands and are tiny. Amaranth seeds are processed in popped, flaked, extruded, and ground flour forms. They are used in snacks and cereals, and in combination with other grains and flours in baking. Amaranth can also be used for ornamental or limited forage purposes.

According to the Nebraska Extension Service, markets for amaranth are limited, and current demand for amaranth products can be met with approximately 3,000 acres annually. The largest amaranth grain consumer is the health food industry, where organic and transitional production carry a market premium.

The Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute provides production and marketing information that seed yields are about 1,000 pounds per acre, with conventional amaranth seed selling for $0.40 per pound and organic selling for around $0.65 per pound. While there are extra costs associated with seed cleaning, production costs are comparable to sorghum and soybeans, with major costs associated with transportation, because there are only three major buyers in the United States: Arrowhead Mills (Texas), Health Valley (California), and Nu-World Amaranth (Chicago, Illinois). Some growers are also marketing directly to consumers or to local bakeries.


Profile written November 2005 and revised November 2006.

Other Links

• Amaranth: Composition, Properties, and Applications of a Rediscovered Food Crop - McGill University’s Ecological Agricultural Projects, 1985. 
• Amaranth Grain Production Guide, Rodale Research Center - Covers production, marketing and other general information, 1987.
• Amaranth Institute membership form - The American Amaranth Institute, Box 216, Bricelyn, MN 56014, is a nonprofit organization that exists to facilitate exchange of information among those interested in amaranth. Members include farmers, educators, researchers, food ingredient processors, health food professionals, and industry representatives.
• Amaranth Production - Publication from the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) that examines amaranth grain production topics as well as providing additional resources, 2003.
• Bushels of Promise: Amaranth, Ag Innovation News, the newspaper of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute that discusses the amaranth crop as an alternative high-protein grain.
• Grain Amaranth - A production guide from Kansas State University, 2003.
Grain Amaranth Overview - A publication provided by the Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute that examines the economics, production and marketing avenues for grain amaranth in the United States.
Growing Grain Amaranth as a Speciality Crop, University of Minnesota Extension Service, Revised 1988. 
Market Opportunities for Grain Amaranth and Buckwheat Growers in Missouri - This 56-page report at the USDA AMS website is from the Missoui Department of Agriculture and the Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute. It outlines opportunities in the amaranth markets. November 2003.
Modern Market Rediscovers Ancient Grains - Article from Canada’s McGill University Ecological Agriculture Projects Center that looks at the marketing advantages of amaranth and other grains.
Nu-World Foods - Small, family-owned business is pioneer in the amaranth food development business.
Real Seed Catalogue - Publication provides instructions for home processing of amaranth grain.