How Much Do Carrots Cost?

Last Updated on August 26, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The carrot is one of the healthiest and tastiest vegetables that can be eaten both raw and in a variety of culinary recipes. It is rich in vitamins and antioxidants and low in calories.

Depending on the season, you will have to pay anywhere between $1 and $4 per pound of fresh whole carrots purchased from a local market or grocery store. For example, at Walmart, one pound of carrots costs around $1. The price of the carrots with the organic label can be 30 to 40 percent higher. For example, the Earthbound Farm Organic mini carrots two-pound bag costs around $4.5.

As with any other vegetable, the price of the carrots depends on the time of the year, the geographical location, and the place you buy them from.

According to USDA, the cost of frozen carrots is around $1.85 per pound, while the price of canned carrots would be almost $1.2 per pound. Also, raw whole carrots may cost around $0.95 per pound and raw baby carrots may cost around $ 2 per pound.

In general, baby carrots come in a one-pound clear bag and cost anywhere between $2 and $3.5 per pound.

Also, baby carrots that usually come in a 10 to 16-ounce clear bag have a similar price, anywhere between $2 and $3.5 per bag.

You might also like our articles on the cost of eggplants, tomatoes, or bell peppers.

The cost of carrot seedlings like Atomic Red, Imperator, Hybrid, and Cosmic Purple would be anywhere between $2 and $4 per pound.

Retail Price of Carrots in 2023

The retail price range for US carrots in June 2023 is between $2 and $4 per kilogram or between $0.91 and $1.81 per pound.

The average price for fresh carrots in 2022 was $20.08 per carton.

The price per unit of carrots for the fresh and processing market in the United States reached a peak of $38.5 per cwt in 2022.

The average price for all countries is $2.16 USD per kilogram or $1.58 USD per pound.

If you are looking for the lowest carrot prices for juicing, you should know that a 10-pound bag costs around $9 at Costco, while a 25-pound bag costs around $21 at Whole Foods, and a five-pound bag costs around $5 at the same retailer.

Carrots overview

The carrot is the root of the Apiaceae family. It can be orange, red, yellow, purple, or white, and there are more than 100 species worldwide. The carrot root begins to develop 20 days after it has sprouted, through a process called tuberization. It can have up to 20 green leaves that are arranged in a rosette, and the leaflets are arranged on either side of the main vein.

The orange color is due to the high content of beta-carotene, which our body transforms into vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for the health of vision, but also of bones, teeth, and skin. One carrot can provide more than 200% of the recommended daily dose, making it perfect for the immune system of each individual. The more intense the orange color, the greater the supply of beta-carotene.

Nutritional values for 100 g of carrots

88% water;
41 calories;
9 g protein;
6 g carbohydrates;
7 g sugars (sucrose and glucose);
8 g of soluble and insoluble fiber;
2 g fat.

Important things to consider

Carrots can be cooked and eaten in a multitude of ways: raw in salads, boiled, baked, steamed, sauteed, au gratin, squeezed, or you can slice and roast them to make crunchy chips. The sweet flavor gives it its place among cakes, jams, juices, and other desserts. For example, in Portugal, carrot marmalade is a popular specialty, and carrot cake remains a unique dessert anywhere in the world.

After the beet, the carrot is the vegetable with the highest sugar content. There were even attempts to extract sugar from carrots but without success. The part with the highest concentration of sugar in the carrot is the core. As a rule, roots with a large diameter have bigger cores and, therefore a higher sugar content. As a rule, carrots contain about 88% water and 7% sugar.

Many studies show that the constant presence of carrots in the diet can help reduce the risk of breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. Recently, researchers isolated a compound called falcarinol in carrots that is anti-cancer.

Carrots are also beneficial in cleaning your teeth, and it’s the best way to keep your mouth clean after a meal. The minerals in carrots help eliminate microorganisms from the mouth and prevent tooth decay.

Purchase and preservation

Fresh carrots are available in fresh vegetable markets in most seasons.

When you buy, make sure to choose hard, intensely colored carrots with bright roots. Avoid soft, flabby, cut, or moldy roots. Also avoid very large roots, as they indicate over-maturity.

Once you get home, rinse well in water to remove dust, soil, or insecticide/fungicide. In general, carrots are kept intact in the refrigerator for two to three weeks in the special vegetable compartment.

Carrots for winter are kept in a cool place, pantry or cellar, in sandboxes. The sand should be slightly moist, and the vegetables placed vertically, with a little space between them for ventilation.

How can I save money?

In case you buy bagged carrots, take into consideration purchasing a store brand as it usually costs 30 to 40 percent less than a brand name.

In general, local markets tend to be cheaper than grocery stores, so try to shop from there.

The more you buy, the less you have to pay. It would be a great idea to purchase in bulk, especially if you need more than three to five pounds of carrots. For example, a 10-pound bag from Costco may bring the costs closer to $ 0.80 per pound. Most of the time Sam’s Club and Costco will be your cheapest option, but you should find five-to-ten-pound bags at most local grocery stores.

How Much Do Carrots Cost?