Aug 25, 2016

CCGA forecasts 2016 cranberry crop

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently announced its 2016 cranberry crop forecast during the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association’s 129th annual meeting at Plympton’s Upland Club. Over 400 attendees were present, including cranberry growers and their employees, industry leaders, association business members, legislators, and federal and state officials.

Gary Keough, director of the USDA NASS Northeast field office, presented the 2016 cranberry crop forecast. According to the report, Massachusetts is projecting a crop of 2,070,000 barrels (each barrel equals 100 pounds), down approximately 5 percent from the 2015 crop figures. Overall, the U.S. cranberry crop is projected to be 8,591,700, up slightly from the 2015 harvest.

Massachusetts remains second in cranberry growing production in the country, at approximately 22 percent. Wisconsin maintains the number one position, yielding 60 percent of cranberries grown in the U.S. According to Brian Wick, executive director of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association, the Massachusetts’ estimate is considered to be a solid crop, not dropping significantly from last year, which was the second largest crop in state history.

Massachusetts grower’s current greatest concern is the sustained drought conditions. Following five continuous months of unusually dry weather, the state declared a Drought Watch for Southeast Massachusetts and a Drought Advisory for Cape Cod and the Islands.

According to Wick, “Massachusetts growers are optimistic by nature, although water is understandably foremost on their minds, they remain steadfast that rain will come and the berries will soon be in the proverbial barn. Now is the time for their resourcefulness to shine through and watch earnestly for some much needed rainfall.”

For more information, visit the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association website.