NASS forecast for 1999 cranberry crop up 6%
Price per barrel hasn't been this low since 1980

Released August 17, 1999, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Cranberries" call Steven Gunn at (202) 720-3110, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.

1999 Cranberry Production Up 6 Percent

The forecast for the 1999 cranberry crop is a record high 5.81 million barrels, up 6 percent from both 1998 and 1997. Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Wisconsin are forecasting increases from a year ago while Washington is expecting a decrease.

Production in Wisconsin is forecast at a record high 2.6 million barrels, 2 percent above 1998 and 13 percent above 1997. Growers reported very little winter damage. Berry set was good to excellent and a wet July provided a good water supply. Some growers expressed concern about excessive moisture causing fruit rot.

The Massachusetts crop is forecast at 2.1 million barrels, up 12 percent from 1998 but unchanged from 1997. A mild winter caused little winter damage plus very few insect and disease problems were reported. Growers indicated that the crop had good pollination and set with medium berry size.

New Jersey expects a crop of 580,000 barrels, up 11 percent from 1998 but down slightly from 1997. Growers reported good pollination, bee activity, and fruit set. Fruit size was reported as average.

In Oregon, the crop is forecast at 370,000 barrels, 4 percent above last year's crop and 6 percent above 1997. This year's crop had a slow start due to a cool spring. Pollination was good and fruit set was fair. No abnormal problems with pests were reported.

The Washington crop is forecast at 160,000 barrels, 5 percent below last year and 3 percent below 1997. Washington had a mild winter with little frost damage. A cool spring hampered pollination and set. Insect and weed problems also contributed to the decreased production.

1998 Production and Value Down

Production of cranberries in the United States in 1998 totaled 5.46 million barrels, down 1 percent from 1997. The area harvested, at 36,600 acres, increased 3 percent from the previous year and set a new record. The average yield of 149.1 barrels per acre was 4.9 barrels below 1997. The average price per barrel decreased $22.10 per barrel from 1997 to $41.60. Value of production decreased to $227 million, 35 percent below the previous season's record high.

Read charts and full statistics on NASS Web site.