Fr Nt 4 (8-04) Cranberries National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released August 17, 2004, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on Cranberries call Terry P. O'Connor at (202) 720-4288, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. 2004 Cranberry Production Up 6 Percent The forecast for the 2004 cranberry crop is 6.58 million barrels, up 6 percent from 2003 and 16 percent above 2002. Production is forecast to be up in Massachusetts and Oregon, unchanged in New Jersey, and down in Washington and Wisconsin. Production in Wisconsin is forecast at 3.56 million barrels, 1 percent below 2003 but 11 percent above 2002. Crop maturity is about 1 week behind normal due to a cool, wet spring. Good berry set and an adequate water supply have created the potential for above average yields. There were few reports of any damage from hail or frost. The Massachusetts crop is forecast at 1.80 million barrels, up 28 percent from 2003 and 24 percent above 2002. A cold winter injured vines in some areas. Good to excellent weather in the spring and early summer aided pollination and growing conditions. A majority of growers expected increased production over last year. Below average rainfall in southeastern Massachusetts caused many growers to irrigate their bogs. The Oregon crop is forecast at 550,000 barrels, 10 percent above last year and 27 percent above 2002. The cranberry crop looks very good, with fruit sizing well and no wide-spread insect or disease problems reported. Irrigation water is running low in some areas, as no significant rainfall has been measured for the last two months in some coastal areas. Warm weather has contributed to rapid development of the crop and harvest should be earlier than normal. New Jersey expects a crop of 480,000 barrels, unchanged from 2003 but 12 percent above 2002. Growers reported an average to heavy bloom, with fruit set and fruit size about normal. Heavy rainfall on July 12 caused damage mainly to dams and gates. The Washington crop is forecast at 185,000 barrels, 3 percent below last year but 11 percent above 2002. Cranberries in Washington experienced warm spring conditions that have crop development about two weeks ahead of average. There was an early and extended bloom period that allowed for good fruit set on the vines. Pest problems may affect the overall potential of the crop. The cranberry industry has not had a restrictive marketing order in effect since the 2001 growing season. Under that order, growers could only sell 65 percent of their historic average sales to the processors. These restrictions applied to all 5 of the major cranberry producing States. The lack of marketing restrictions in 2002, 2003, and 2004 led some growers to increase acreage. This increased acreage combined with good growing conditions in most States resulted in the higher cranberry production forecast. Cranberries: Production by State and United States, 2002-2003 and Forecasted 2004 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2002 : 2003 : 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Barrels : MA : 1,452,000 1,406,000 1,800,000 NJ : 430,000 480,000 480,000 OR : 432,000 500,000 550,000 WA : 167,000 190,000 185,000 WI : 3,208,000 3,607,000 3,560,000 : US : 5,689,000 6,183,000 6,575,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ A barrel weighs 100 lbs. ACCESS TO REPORTS!! 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