What Items Should You Sell in Stardew Valley? The Ultimate Guide to Maximizing Profits

So, you’ve inherited your grandfather’s farm in Stardew Valley, and you’re eager to turn those overgrown fields into a thriving enterprise. One of the most crucial aspects of success is knowing what to sell and when to sell it. The key is finding a balance between immediate cash flow and long-term investments that will reap even greater rewards later.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of items you should prioritize selling in Stardew Valley, broken down by category and stage of the game:

• Early Game (Year 1): Focus on quick, reliable income.
  • Foraged Items: Spring onions, dandelions, leeks, and other foraged goods are great early income. Sell them regularly, keeping a small stock for recipes or Community Center bundles.
  • Crops: Plant fast-growing crops like parsnips, green beans, and kale early on. These provide a steady income while you’re saving for better seeds and upgrades.
  • Fish: Fishing is a fantastic early game money maker. Target common fish first, but learn the techniques for catching higher value fish like chub or smallmouth bass. Invest in a better rod as soon as possible.
  • Minerals: Early minerals like quartz, copper, and iron can be sold, but prioritize crafting tools first. Once you have the essential tools, sell the excess.
• Mid Game (Year 2+): Time to optimize your production.
  • Artisan Goods: This is where the real money is! Invest in kegs and preserves jars to process your crops into wine, juice, pickles, and jellies. These sell for significantly more than the raw ingredients.
  • Wine (Especially Starfruit Wine): Starfruit wine remains a top performer. Once you have the greenhouse and access to Starfruit seeds, you can have a constant source of income from this high selling artisan good.
  • Cheese and Mayonnaise: Animals become a worthwhile investment. Sell cheese made from cow’s milk and mayonnaise made from chicken eggs. Ostrich Egg Mayo is even more lucrative!
  • Honey (Especially Fairy Rose Honey): Bees can be very profitable and Fairy Rose Honey commands a high price.
  • Truffle Oil: If you have pigs, truffle oil is a goldmine (literally!). Pigs sniff out truffles, which can be processed into truffle oil for a substantial profit.
  • High-Value Crops: Focus on planting high-value crops in season, such as blueberries, cranberries, and especially starfruit.
• Late Game (Year 3+): Dominate the market!
  • Ancient Fruit Wine: Once you have a steady supply of ancient seeds, plant them in the greenhouse to produce Ancient Fruit Wine. This is one of the most profitable artisan goods in the game.
  • Caviar: Sturgeons produce roe, which can be processed into caviar. This sells for a very high price.
  • Legendary Fish: Though rare, catching Legend and Legend II fish allows you to sell for a whopping 15,000g.
  • Iridium Quality Artisan Goods: Maximize your profits by aging wine and cheese in casks to reach iridium quality.

Remember to consider these additional factors:

• Availability: Can you reliably produce enough of the item to sell regularly?
• Seasonal Changes: Focus on crops that thrive in each season.
• Starting Costs: Factor in the cost of seeds, animals, or equipment needed to produce the item.
• Processing Time: Consider how long it takes to process raw materials into artisan goods.
• Luck: Use luck buffs to increase the quantity and quality of foraged items and mined minerals.

By carefully considering these factors and focusing on the right items, you can transform your Stardew Valley farm into a profitable and rewarding venture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the single most profitable item to sell in Stardew Valley?

The single most profitable item in Stardew Valley is the Legend and Legend II fish (especially at iridium quality with the appropriate profession). You have to be skilled and lucky enough to catch them first! The next most profitable are artisan goods like Starfruit Wine and Ancient Fruit Wine.

Should I sell my gems and minerals?

It depends. Some gems and minerals are needed for crafting, gifting, or completing Community Center bundles. Prioritize selling diamonds and prismatic shards, as they are very valuable. However, keep some essential minerals like quartz (for refined quartz) and earth crystals (for crafting).

What are the best crops to grow in each season for profit?

• Spring: Strawberries are great, but you need to get them from the Egg Festival. Otherwise, potatoes and cauliflower are solid choices.
• Summer: Blueberries are highly profitable due to their multiple harvests.
• Fall: Cranberries and pumpkins are excellent choices.

Is mining a good way to make money in Stardew Valley?

Yes, especially as your mining skill increases and you reach deeper levels with more valuable ores like gold and iridium. Invest in better pickaxes and consider equipping mining-related professions to maximize your profits.

Should I keep fiber in Stardew Valley?

Yes! Fiber is used in several crafting recipes, including scarecrows, speed-gro fertilizer, and wild seeds. Keep a good supply on hand.

Is it worth growing corn in Stardew Valley?

Corn is unique because it can be harvested in both summer and fall. If planted on the first day of summer, you can get multiple harvests, making it a worthwhile investment.

What are the best cooked items to sell for profit?

Fish Tacos and Tropical Curry are good options. They have decent selling prices and relatively simple recipes.

What is the best food to eat before mining in Stardew Valley?

Eggplant Parm provides both mining and defense buffs. It is also relatively cheap to make, making it a good choice.

Can I duplicate Prismatic Shards in the Crystalarium?

No, the Crystalarium cannot replicate prismatic shards.

Is aging wine and cheese in casks worth the effort?

Absolutely! Aging wine and cheese to iridium quality significantly increases their selling price. It’s one of the most profitable late-game strategies.

What should I do with Ancient Seeds?

Donate the first Ancient Seed you find to the museum. Gunther will give you the recipe for crafting more seeds. Plant these seeds, and eventually grow Ancient Fruit to make Ancient Fruit Wine.

How do I get truffle oil in Stardew Valley?

You need to raise pigs and let them forage on your farm. They will sniff out truffles, which you can then process into truffle oil using an oil maker.

What is the best way to transport items around the farm?

Upgrading your backpack is essential, but also invest in chests to store items strategically around your farm. You can even place chests outside your farm in certain locations.

How do I get fairy rose honey?

Place bee houses near fairy rose flowers. The honey produced will be significantly more valuable.

Can I name my character to cheat items in Stardew Valley?

Yes, but this is generally frowned upon as it takes away from the intended game experience. By naming your character with item IDs, you can receive those items when a villager says your name. It is still worth understanding as a useful tool in Games Learning Society.

By following these tips and strategies, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Stardew Valley tycoon! Good luck and happy farming!