WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Aug. 16 released its Cranberry Report that forecasts 2011 cranberry crop production to increase 10% over last years numbers to an estimated 7.5 million barrels. The forecast is the second-highest figure on record.
Cranberry harvests are up from last year in Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin but down in New Jersey. Wisconsin is expected to ship 4.3 million barrels, followed by Massachusetts (2.1 million barrels), New Jersey (540,000 barrels), Oregon (385,000 barrels) and Washington (173,000 barrels). A barrel equals 100 pounds.
Wisconsin and Massachusetts are expected to be strong this year because crops in both states benefited from favorable weather that lengthened the growing season. Harvested acreage is down in New Jersey, and some growers expressed concerns of potential sun scalding of fruit due to above normal temperatures. Oregon’s crop rebounded from last year’s low production even though it was delayed by a cool spring. Recent favorable weather conditions improved crop development.
