Cranberries National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released August 18, 1998, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Cranberries" call Howard Hill at (202) 720-7235, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. 1998 Cranberry Production Up 2 Percent The forecast for the 1998 cranberry crop is 5.62 million barrels, up 2 percent from 1997's record large production and 20 percent more than 1996. Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington forecasted increases from a year ago, Massachusetts remained unchanged, and New Jersey decreased. Production in Wisconsin is forecast at a record high 2.40 million barrels, 3 percent above 1997 and 21 percent above 1996. Increased production is expected due to more acres for harvest. Water supply is adequate and berry set ranged from good to excellent. However, some growers reported damage from unfavorable winter conditions and hail. The Massachusetts crop is forecast at 2.1 million barrels, unchanged from the previous year but up 22 percent from 1996. Mild conditions last winter followed by beneficial rains throughout the spring helped the crop, except in areas where water sat in the fields too long and where heavy flooding in June and July wiped out blossoms. Growers reported bloom and set as average, with berry size reported as mostly medium, but more rain is needed to maintain size. Insect and disease damage has been relatively low. New Jersey expects a crop of 570,000 barrels, 2 percent less than last year but 22 percent more than 1996. Growers reported good pollination, bee activity, and fruit set. Bloom and size of fruit were rated between average and heavy. No significant weather damage was reported. In Oregon, the crop is forecast at 375,000 barrels, 7 percent above last year's crop and 20 percent above the 1996 crop. A cool, early spring and above normal precipitation in May reduced pollination, but fruit set was generally good. Cranberry acreage continues to increase and most fields had good bloom which compensated for poor pollination. Growers rated insect and disease problems as normal. The Washington crop is forecast at 175,000 barrels, 6 percent above last year but 3 percent less than 1996. Western Washington had another mild winter and little or no frost damage. However, the spring was cool, wet, and foggy. Some growers indicated unusually late bloom with weather conditions less than favorable. Bloom was heavy in some areas, but few reporters rated berry set as good. Some areas suffered damage from insects. Fr Nt 4 (8-98) 1997 Production Up 18 Percent; Value at a Record High for the Second Year Production of cranberries in the United States in 1997 totaled 5.53 million barrels, up 18 percent from 1996. The area harvested, at 35,500 acres, increased 4 percent from the previous year and set a new record. The average yield of 155.9 barrels per acre was 18.5 barrels above 1996. The average price per barrel increased $2.00 from 1996 to $67.90. Value of production increased to $376 million, 22 percent above last season's record high. Cranberries: Production by State and United States, 1996-97 and Forecasted 1998 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Barrels : MA : 1,722,000 2,100,000 2,100,000 NJ : 467,000 580,000 570,000 OR : 312,000 350,000 375,000 WA : 180,000 165,000 175,000 WI : 1,990,000 2,339,000 2,400,000 : US : 4,671,000 5,534,000 5,620,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ A barrel weighs 100 lbs. Cranberries: Area Harvested, Yield, Production, Utilization, Price, and Value by State and United States, 1996-97 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year : : Yield : Production and : Area : per :----------------------------------- State : Harvested : Acre : Total : Utilized -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres ----------------- Barrels ----------------- : 1996 : MA : 14,200 121.3 1,722,000 1,722,000 NJ : 3,600 129.7 467,000 467,000 OR : 1,800 173.3 312,000 312,000 WA : 1,500 120.0 180,000 180,000 WI : 12,900 154.3 1,990,000 1,990,000 : US : 34,000 137.4 4,671,000 4,671,000 : 1997 : MA : 14,600 143.8 2,100,000 2,100,000 NJ : 3,700 156.8 580,000 580,000 OR : 2,000 175.0 350,000 350,000 WA : 1,500 110.0 165,000 165,000 WI : 13,700 170.7 2,339,000 2,339,000 : US : 35,500 155.9 5,534,000 5,534,000 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Utilization : Price : Value of :------------------------------------------: per : Utilized : Fresh : Processed :Shrinkage 1/ : Barrel 2/ : Production :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------------- Barrels ------------- Dollars 1,000 Dols : 1996 : MA : 70,000 1,628,000 24,000 70.90 122,090 NJ : 461,000 6,000 61.80 28,861 OR : 312,000 60.50 18,876 WA : 20,000 160,000 61.00 10,980 WI : 146,000 1,769,000 75,000 63.80 127,020 : US : 236,000 4,330,000 105,000 65.90 307,827 : 1997 : MA : 93,000 1,946,000 61,000 69.60 146,160 NJ : 577,000 3,000 62.20 36,076 OR : 350,000 61.50 21,525 WA : 22,000 143,000 61.50 10,148 WI : 110,000 2,095,000 134,000 69.20 161,837 : US : 225,000 5,111,000 198,000 67.90 375,746 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Cranberries paid for by processors and lost because of dehydration and berry breakdown after delivery. 2/ Weighted average of co-op and independent sales. Co-op prices represent pool proceeds excluding returns from non-cranberry products and before deductions for capital stock and other retains. The next "Cranberries " report will be released in August 1999. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 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