Overview

The United States produced 681 million pounds of cranberries in 2011, valued at $465 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.  March 2012... Cranberries


Marketing

• The American Cranberry, University of Wisconsin - This Web site provides basic information about cranberries, including production, harvesting, marketing and nutrition.
• Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association - This is one of the oldest U.S. farm organizations, established in 1888.
• The Cranberry Institute - This Web site provides research-based information on the health benefits of cranberries.
• Cranberry Marketing Committee - The Cranberry Marketing Committee represents the U.S. cranberry industry.
• Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA.
• Fruits and Tree Nuts, Briefing Room, ERS, USDA.
• Global Agricultural Trade System, Foreign Ag Service, USDA.
• Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts, National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
• Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association

Production

• Cranberry Experiment Station, University of Massachusetts.
• Cranberry Forecast, New England Agricultural Statistics (Field office of NASS), USDA.
• Cranberry Production in Wisconsin, The Cranberry Marketing Committee. Select General Information under Management Articles. 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, 2003 - Wisconsin cranberry producers raise 60 percent of the nation’s cranberry crop.
• How Cranberries Grow, University of Massachusetts Cranberry Station.
• 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.
• Overview of Organic Cranberry Production, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin.
• 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.

Businesses/Case Studies

• Bradshaw’s Cranberry Farm, Dennysville, Maine - This business grows fresh cranberries for retail and wholesale markets. Market outlets include grocery stores, farmers’ markets, gift shops, farm stands and specialty food stores.
• Coquille Cranberries, North Bend, Oregon - A relative newcomer to the cranberry business whose bogs are certified by Oregon Tilth.
• Cranberry Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts - This farm, which grows certified organic cranberries, is interested in organizing with others in forming an organic growers' cooperative.
• Decas Cranberry Products, Inc. - This company is one of the leading cranberry purveyors. It markets cranberries for about 160 growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Oregon.
• Fresh Meadow Farms, Carver, Massachusetts - This Farm Aid case study describes an organic cranberry operation.
• Glacial Lake Cranberries Inc., Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin - 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.
• Ocean Spray - This agricultural cooperative is owned by 700 cranberry growers and 50 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.
• United Cranberry Growers Cooperative, This ag cooperative of independent cranberry growers formed in 2010.

Links checked March 2012.