After a couple of bumper crops, this year's cranberry harvest in Wisconsin yielded less fruit than in previous seasons. Without the warm, dry growing season, growers weren't able to get as much from the crop this year.“When we have bumper crops, it's usually hot and dry because we can manage the water supply through irrigation,” said Nodji Van Wychen of Wetherby Cranberry Company. “This year, we had a cooler summer with moisture, and cranberries like it when it's hot and dry.” There should still be ample supplies of fresh cranberries, both because it's a niche market and because other states have had good yields.
“One of the aspects of having growers in multiple regions is that our supplies are always stable,” said Kellyanne Dignan of Ocean Spray. “So the Wisconsin crop was a little down this year and the Massachusetts crop was a little up.” Only about five percent of U.S. cranberry production goes to the fresh market, and most consumption will take place this month, with the overwhelming majority of cranberries being sold the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
For more information:
Nodji Van Wychen
Wetherby Cranberry Company
+1 608 378 4813
Kellyanne Dignan
Ocean Spray
+1 508 923 3205
