The National Agricultural Statistics Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has forecasted a cranberry yield of 2.2 million barrels for Massachusetts in 2024, marking a 12% increase over the previous year's production. This volume translates to several thousand tons, as each barrel contains 100 pounds of cranberries. The 2023 harvest yielded 1.97 million barrels, falling below expectations.
Brian Wick, Executive Director of Massachusetts Cranberries, expressed a cautious optimism for the upcoming harvest season. He noted the importance of the remaining weeks for the cranberries to achieve the necessary size and colour for harvesting, which is slated to begin at the end of September. Despite the challenging weather conditions experienced recently, including hot and humid weather, Wick anticipates a successful harvest if conditions improve and given the expertise of local cranberry growers.
Source: masslive.com