Aug 18, 2010

Wisconsin cranberry harvest expected to be larger than last year

State and national cranberry production is predicted to be higher than last year, but will not likely exceed the records set in 2008. According to the latest numbers by USDA, Wisconsin cranberry producers are expected to harvest about 4.35 million barrels this fall, up 10 percent from last year’s crop. If realized, it will still be the second largest production level on record for Wisconsin.

State agriculture officials say much of the crop has progressed ahead of normal this season, with only minimal winter damage reported. An early spring and warm, humid days have kept the crop in good condition.

Wisconsin has been leading the country in cranberry production for many years. The second-largest-producing state, Massachusetts, is forecast to produce 1.95 million barrels, up seven percent from 2009. New Jersey is anticipating a crop of 530,000 barrels, down five percent from last season. And Oregon is forecast to produce 385,000 barrels in 2010, which would be 10 percent lower than last year.

The U.S. cranberry production is forecast at 7.35 million barrels, up six percent from 2009. Wisconsin is expected to grow 59 percent of the national crop in 2010.