Overview

The United States produced 675 million pounds of cranberries in 2006, valued at $251 million. More than half of the nation’s cranberries are produced in Wisconsin followed by Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington.

The cranberry, one of three fruits native to North America, is commercially grown in the United States. Cranberries are regarded as nutritious with several health benefits, including being an excellent source of antioxidants. U.S. per capita consumption of cranberries is two pounds, almost entirely in the form of juice.

Once traditionally consumed seasonally with holiday turkeys, cranberries are now consumed year round in processed forms. About 95 percent of cranberries consumed in the United States are processed, most commonly for juice and juice blends.

Cranberries are used in canned and bottled 100 percent juices and juice blends. Fruit juices and drinks rank third in beverage retail market share behind carbonated soft drinks and milk. Cranberry handlers also market the berries in other forms including frozen, sweetened dried, concentrated and powdered. June 2007 . . . Cranberries

Sources

• Cranberries: Not Just for Holidays Anymore, Economic Research Service, USDA, 2001 - This brief report gives an overview of U.S. cranberry production and consumption.
• Economic Research Service, Briefing Room - Fruits and Tree Nuts.

Other Links

• The American Cranberry, University of Wisconsin - This Web site provides basic information about cranberries, including production, harvesting, marketing and nutrition.
• Bradshaw’s Cranberry Farm - This Maine-based business grows fresh cranberries for retail and wholesale markets. Market outlets include grocery stores, farmers’ markets, gift shops, farm stands and specialty food stores.
• Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association - This is one of the oldest U.S. farm organizations, established in 1888.
• Coquille Cranberries of North Bend, Oregon, is relatively new to the cranberry business. Its bogs are certified by Oregon Tilth. 
• Cranberry Experiment Station, University of Massachusetts.
• Cranberry Hill of Plymouth, Massachusetts, grows certified organic cranberries. The farm is interested in organizing with others in forming an organic growers' cooperative.
• The Cranberry Institute - This Web site provides research-based information on the health benefits of cranberries.
• Cranberry Marketing Committee, USA - The Cranberry Marketing Committee represents the U.S. cranberry industry.
• Cranberry Production in Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin, 1996 - This provides a general overview of production and management of cranberries grown in Wisconsin.
• Dairy State Farmers Claim #1 Cranberry Slot, Market to Market, Iowa Public Television, Nov. 28, 2003 - Wisconsin cranberry producers raise 60 percent of the nation’s cranberry crop.
• Decas Cranberry Products, Inc. - This company is one of the leading cranberry purveyors. It markets cranberries for more than 200 growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Oregon.
• Glacial Lake Cranberries Inc. - Agritourism activities on this central Wisconsin Century Farm include farm, wildlife and birding tours, which are offered year round but are most popular during harvest in September and October, and during on-farm stays at The Stone Cottage.
• Nitrogen for Bearing Cranberries in North America, Oregon State University, 2000 - This publication reviews the amount, timing and source of nitrogen for bearing cranberry beds in North America. It was created by the Mineral Nutrition Working Group of the North American Cranberry Research and Extension Workers.
• Northland Cranberries of Wisconsin is a vertically integrated grower.
• Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 650 cranberry growers and 100 grapefruit growers located throughout the United States and Canada.
• Ocean Spray Cranberries at the Crossroads, Ag Marketing Resource Center, Kansas State University, 2003 - This case study looks at the governance structure and growth issues facing Ocean Spray.
• Terminology for Cranberry Bud Development and Growth, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison - This link provides visual examples of bud stage development and corresponding terminology.
• Wisconsin Cranberry Crop Management Library
• Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association