When Do I Need to Start Being Concerned About Chodosh in the US?

The laws of chodosh apply to the five grains (i.e., wheat, barley, spelt, rye and oats). In the U.S., rye and spelt are always winter crops. This means that they are planted in the fall and are not harvested until after Pesach. As such, these grains are always yoshon and do not pose any concern.

Barley and oats are always spring crops. This means that they are planted in the springtime (April-May). Depending on when Pesach falls, some might be planted before Pesach, but a significant amount is planted after Pesach as well. Canadian oats tend to be planted later in the season because of their northern climate. Therefore, barley and oats pose a concern for those who are stringent. The new crop of oats can potentially enter the market in August, and the new crop of barley by September.

Wheat can be planted as either a winter crop or a spring crop. Winter wheat is planted in the fall and is always yoshon. Winter wheat is used for hard pretzels and matzah. However spring wheat, which is predominantly planted in the northern U.S. and Canada, is planted in April and May. Spring wheat should not be assumed to have taken root before Pesach. The colder the climate, the later this wheat tends to be planted, since farmers are concerned with frost. Therefore, spring wheat poses a concern for those who are stringent. Spring wheat is often used for bread, pizza, bagels and pasta. It can potentially enter the market as early as August, though at that point the chances of it being chodosh are very slim. However, as the year progresses, the more likely that the spring wheat is chodosh. Thus, “chodosh season” for wheat begins in the late summer or early fall and continues until Pesach.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.