Stardew Valley: Best Items to Sell & Make Money Quickly
In Stardew Valley, your ultimate goal often revolves around generating income to support your farm, upgrade tools, and invest in new buildings and resources. While farming plays a central role, the game offers many different ways to make money beyond just planting and harvesting crops. Whether you’re into animal husbandry, foraging, crafting artisan goods, or even fishing, there’s always something profitable to focus on.
If you’re looking to maximize your profits and make the most of your in-game time, understanding the best items to sell is crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most lucrative items in Stardew Valley, from high-value crops to rare artisan goods, that can help you build your farming empire.
Top 10 Best Items to Sell for Maximum Profit
1. Starfruit Wine
- Selling Price: 6,300g
- Note: Starfruit Wine is the ultimate cash cow in Stardew Valley. Start by growing Starfruit, which can be bought from the Oasis in the desert, and then turn it into wine using a Keg. Once you have access to a cellar, age the wine in Casks for even higher profits. This process takes time but can make you some of the highest returns in the game.
2. Sweet Gem Berry
- Selling Price: 6,000g
- Note: Grown from rare seeds sold by the traveling cart in spring and summer, Sweet Gem Berries take 24 days to mature and cannot be turned into any artisan goods. However, their raw selling price is incredibly high, making them one of the most valuable crops in the game, especially when grown in a Greenhouse.
3. Ostrich Egg Mayonnaise
- Selling Price: 5,320g
- Note: After unlocking Ginger Island, players can raise Ostriches that lay Ostrich Eggs. These massive eggs can be processed into Mayonnaise, producing a batch of 10 bottles at once. This item is particularly profitable for players who enjoy the animal-raising aspect of the game.
4. Magic Rock Candy
- Selling Price: 5,000g
- Note: Magic Rock Candy is rare, and players can either find it from Haunted Skulls or purchase it from the Desert Trader in exchange for three Prismatic Shards. While it’s more commonly used as a buff food, its selling price is high for those looking to cash in.
5. Ancient Fruit Wine
- Selling Price: 4,620g
- Note: Ancient Fruit is another high-value crop that grows from rare seeds. Once harvested, turning it into wine boosts its value dramatically. Aging it in Casks can yield even higher profits, making it a top-tier choice for long-term investments in your farm.
6. Legendary Fish
- Selling Price: 2,700g-4,500g
- Note: Legendary fish are extremely rare and difficult to catch, but their selling price makes it worth the effort. There are 10 in the game, and catching them during special quests or seasons can result in substantial profits.
7. Golden Pumpkin
- Selling Price: 2,500g
- Note: The Golden Pumpkin is awarded to players who complete the maze at the Spirit’s Eve Festival. While the festival only occurs once a year, this item can also appear as a prize in mystery boxes, making it a consistent source of money if you’re lucky.
8. Pearl
- Selling Price: 2,500g
- Note: Pearls can be obtained by fishing or from treasure chests, making them another valuable find. They’re rare, but with persistence, you can add a few extra thousand gold to your wallet.
9. Goat Cheese
- Selling Price: 1,120g
- Note: Processing Goat Milk into Goat Cheese using a Cheese Press is one of the most straightforward ways to make money with animals. Aging Goat Cheese can increase its value, making it an excellent artisan product to focus on, especially when paired with the Artisan Profession.
10. Dinosaur Mayonnaise
- Selling Price: 1,120g
- Note: Once you acquire Dinosaur Eggs, you can turn them into mayonnaise, which sells for a solid profit. It’s a unique item that requires time to set up but is worth it for players looking to diversify their income sources.
Best Crops to Grow for Profit
While artisan goods can fetch high prices, the bread and butter of Stardew Valley farming lies in your crops. Certain crops are incredibly valuable for both their selling price and the number of harvests you can achieve per season. Here are some of the best crops to focus on.
1. Ancient Fruit
- Selling Price: 1,100g (Iridium Quality)
- Note: Ancient Fruit is one of the best long-term investments you can make. After the initial 28 days of growth, the plant continues to produce fruit every 7 days, making it a consistent source of income, especially in the Greenhouse where it can grow year-round.
2. Starfruit
- Selling Price: 1,500g (Iridium Quality)
- Note: Starfruit grows in the summer and takes 13 days to mature. While it doesn’t regrow, its high selling price makes it a top choice for anyone looking to make a quick profit during the summer.
3. Pineapple
- Selling Price: 600g (Iridium Quality)
- Note: Pineapples grow in the summer and take 14 days to mature with a regrowth time of 7 days. They’re an excellent option for players on Ginger Island, where crops grow year-round, providing continuous profits.
4. Blueberries
- Selling Price: 100g (Iridium Quality)
- Note: Although Blueberries don’t sell for a lot individually, they produce multiple berries per harvest and regrow every 4 days, making them a highly profitable crop during the summer.
5. Cranberries
- Selling Price: 150g (Iridium Quality)
- Note: Cranberries are similar to Blueberries but grow in the fall. With a regrowth time of 5 days, they are another great option for making money quickly during a season.
6. Artichoke
- Selling Price: 320g (Iridium Quality)
- Note: Artichokes grow in 8 days and offer a good return on investment for the fall season. They don’t regrow, but their relatively short growth time makes them a reliable crop for profit.
7. Pumpkin
- Selling Price: 640g (Iridium Quality)
- Note: Pumpkins are a fall favorite, taking 13 days to grow. They are used in a variety of recipes and are also a great gift option for villagers, adding versatility to their high selling price.
8. Grapes
- Selling Price: 160g (Iridium Quality)
- Note: Grapes grow in the fall and take 10 days to mature, with a quick regrowth time of 3 days. This makes them a great crop for those looking to harvest frequently.
Profitable Artisan Goods
Beyond raw crops and basic animal products, artisan goods are where the real money lies. Here’s a deeper dive into some of the best artisan goods you can create for maximum profit.
1. Pale Ale
- Selling Price: 840g
- Note: Once you unlock the Keg, Hops can be turned into Pale Ale, which is one of the most profitable early-game artisan goods. It only takes 2 days to process, making it a fast and efficient way to make money.
2. Caviar
- Selling Price: 700g
- Note: Made by processing Sturgeon Roe in a Preserves Jar, Caviar is one of the more valuable artisan goods you can create. Sturgeon are relatively easy to catch, and once placed in a Fish Pond, they will continuously produce Roe.
3. Fairy Rose Honey
- Selling Price: 952g
- Note: By planting Fairy Roses near Bee Houses, you can harvest Fairy Rose Honey every 3-4 days. This honey is one of the most valuable types in the game, especially with the Artisan Profession.
Tips for Maximizing Profits
- Invest in Kegs and Preserves Jars: Converting crops and animal products into artisan goods can dramatically increase your profits. Focus on high-value crops like Ancient Fruit, Starfruit, and Hops for maximum returns.
- Greenhouse Investment: Once you unlock the Greenhouse, focus on crops like Ancient Fruit and Starfruit that can grow year-round, ensuring a constant stream of income.
- Leveling Up Professions: The Artisan and Rancher Professions give a significant boost to the selling price of goods. Prioritize these when you hit Level 10 in Farming.
FAQs
What’s the fastest way to make money in Stardew Valley?
One of the quickest ways to make money is by growing crops like Blueberries and Cranberries, which regrow frequently. Additionally, creating Pale Ale from Hops
is highly profitable early in the game.
How do I unlock the Artisan Profession?
The Artisan Profession is unlocked once you reach Level 10 in Farming. It provides a 40% boost in the selling price of all artisan goods.
Are legendary fish worth catching for money?
Yes, legendary fish can sell for up to 4,500g, making them some of the most valuable items in the game. However, they are difficult to catch and not a consistent source of income.
Key Takeaways
- Artisan Goods are King: Processing items like wine, cheese, and mayonnaise will bring in the most money, especially when using high-value crops like Starfruit and Ancient Fruit.
- Focus on Crops with High Regrowth: Crops like Blueberries and Cranberries are easy to manage and consistently generate profits due to their short regrowth times.
- Maximize Year-Round Production: Use the Greenhouse and Ginger Island to grow high-value crops like Starfruit and Ancient Fruit year-round, ensuring a steady stream of income.
By focusing on the right items and strategies, you can quickly accumulate wealth in Stardew Valley and turn your humble farm into a thriving enterprise.