By Marsha Laux, content specialist, AgMRC, Iowa State University, mlaux@iastate.edu.

Revised March 2011.


Overview
Amaranth (a mah ran th) is a versatile, drought- and weed-resistant crop, making it attractive in many regions of the United States. According to the 2002 U.S. Census of Agriculture, 10 farms grew amaranth on 939 acres. The 2007 census combined amaranth with other crops for the survey. The grain is used almost exclusively for seed production in the United States.

Amaranth was first used as a grain crop over 6,000 years ago in Central America and is gaining favor today among health-conscious consumers. Because it is gluten-free, amaranth is also popular with consumers who have wheat and gluten allergies. This grain is high in lysine, well balanced in other amino acids, has a protein content of around 14 to 16 percent and is high in fiber.

Production
The 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 into 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. In other countries, amaranth leaves are either boiled or eaten as greens.

Marketing
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 indicating that seed yields are about 1,000 pounds per acre, conventional amaranth seed sells for $0.40 per pound and organic amaranth seed for around $0.65 per pound. While there are extra costs associated with seed cleaning, production costs are comparable to sorghum and soybeans. Major costs are 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 also market directly to consumers or to local bakeries.

Source

Grain Amaranth Overview, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute - A publication that examines the economics, production and marketing avenues for grain amaranth in the United States.

Other Links

• Amaranth, Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute.
• Amaranth (Chinese Spinach), Texas A&M University.
• Amaranth: Composition, Properties, and Applications of a Rediscovered Food Crop, Ecological Agricultural Projects Center, McGill University, Canada, 1985.
• Amaranth Grain Production Guide, Rodale Research Center - Covers production, marketing and other general information, 1987.
• Amaranth Grower Resource Center - Provides information about planting, cultivating, harvesting, drying and storing amaranth.
• Bushels of Promise: Amaranth, Ag Innovation News, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, 2003 - This article discusses the amaranth crop as an alternative high-protein grain.
• Grain Amaranth, Kansas State University, 2003 - A production guide.
• Market Opportunities for Grain Amaranth and Buckwheat Growers in Missouri, Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute, 2003 - This 56-page report at the USDA Ag Marketing Service website outlines opportunities in the amaranth markets.
• Modern Market Rediscovers Ancient Grains, Ecological Agriculture Projects Center, McGill University, Canada - Article 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 - This website  provides instructions for home processing of amaranth grain.

Profile written November 2005 and links checked January 2011.