Cranberries are Wisconsin's state fruit and account for about 60% of U.S. production, according to the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association. University of Wisconsin data shows the industry contributes roughly US$1 billion annually to the state economy. Most production is concentrated in central and northern regions, where sandy soils and wetlands provide favourable growing conditions.
Grant Holley, executive director of the growers association, noted the crop's long history. "Cranberries and cranberry farming were here before Wisconsin was Wisconsin," he said. "Even before Wisconsin was fully a state within our country, there were people here growing and commercially raising cranberries."
The 2025 harvest has been affected by the weather. Hybrids that normally ripen at different times matured simultaneously, creating a compressed harvest window and forcing longer workdays. "With warmer temperatures and the long, wet summer we had, a lot of our hybrids are coming due at the same time. That makes for some long hours for growers who are trying to pull all the cranberries in while they can," Holley explained.
Labour availability continues to be a challenge. "Newer technology is making things a little easier on growers because new systems are designed in ways that allow us to do more with fewer people. And people are one of our most difficult resources," he said. Many farms rely on family labour, with work centred year-round on cranberry production.
Water management remains central to cranberry cultivation. Marshes are engineered to recycle water for flooding, irrigation, and frost protection. Holley outlined the scale of support land needed. "Within cranberry marshes, we have about a 10:1 ratio when it comes to support land compared to growing land. If we have 11 acres [4.45 hectares] of growing land, 10 of those are completely unfarmed and only one is being farmed. That means that when we do pull water, we aren't pulling significant water from one single source," he said.
Reservoirs allow growers to maintain production during drought, while in flood years, marshes can divert water to protect nearby communities. "Those same marshes can use their water to save local townships and keep flooding from happening in some areas. Growers have been working with their water for decades. They know how to move that water, which helps everyone," Holley said.
Wisconsin cranberries are exported globally for use in juices, sauces, and baked goods. Demand remains steady in Europe and Asia, with exports continuing despite harvest and labour pressures.
Source: WPR
