Aug 16, 2012

USDA: cranberry crop down slightly

The forecast for the 2012 U.S. cranberry crop is 7.68 million barrels, down less than 1 percent from the 2011 crop, according to USDA.

Wisconsin will lead the way, with 4.5 million barrels (up from 4.4 million last year). Massachusetts will produce 2.1 million barrels (down from 2.3 million in 2011). New Jersey, Oregon and Washington will produce 542,500 barrels, 400,000 barrels and 142,000 barrels, respectively, according to USDA.

Growers in Wisconsin reported excellent pollination and limited impact by summer’s high temperatures and dry conditions. In Massachusetts, an early spring caused growth to progress ahead of normal, and growers in some areas experienced frost damage. In New Jersey, growers reported an average crop that required more irrigation than normal due to hot, dry weather. In Oregon and Washington, growers reported cool, wet growing conditions that delayed crop progress in some areas, according to USDA.