November 27, 2023
The 2023 harvest, which ended a few days ago, was surprising, but not for the usual reasons. This year, we experienced extreme temperatures, resulting in difficult growing conditions.
In Canada
After a record-breaking harvest in 2022, Quebec has just had a challenging season that could set even more records, but undesirable ones. The 2023 harvest could turn out to be even smaller than in 2017, which was already a landmark year, as the smallest in a decade. A number of factors affected this harvest, starting with the natural decrease in yield that tends to occur after an unusual year. Although the flowering stems in spring suggested a normal harvest, the many frosts followed by heavy rain during the flowering stage severely hindered pollination. In July, the heavy rainfall continued, and the nights were so warm that the plants exhibited increased vegetative growth, to the detriment of the berries. August was not much better, with cooler days that decreased fruit set. This year will be remembered for its substandard harvest, with yields 40% lower than in 2022.
Conditions in the Maritimes were similar to those in Quebec.
The results were very different in British Columbia, where they are expecting an above-average yield owing to fairly favourable conditions throughout the year. However, this region only accounts for around 10% of the country’s cranberry harvest.
As a result, the overall harvest for Canada is expected to be 30% lower than last year.
In the United States
We had high expectations for Massachusetts, with hopes of a harvest similar to that of 2022. However, this region was also affected by an unusually high number of overnight frosts. The relative wetness of the season also affected yields, which are estimated to be 10 to 15% lower than last year.
The Wisconsin season began much like the previous regions, with a few frosts, one of which caused serious damage on several farms. In terms of rainfall, the rest of the season was the opposite of Quebec and Massachusetts. It was extremely dry with no prolonged extreme temperatures. Although this phenomenon is usually beneficial for growing cranberries, this year was the exception, probably owing to the length of the drought. Consequently, the state’s harvest will exceed the yields of the last four years, but will be considered average when compared with 2018.
The US harvest as a whole will be 6% higher than last year.
The market situation
Overall, the 2023 world harvest is likely to be 8 to 10% lower than in 2022. As a result, there will be less supply than last year, so we recommend you confirm your orders with our sales team as soon as possible. Browse our catalogue here for a range of premium products that are sure to meet your ingredient and nutraceutical needs.
Questions? Please contact our sales team.
It’s the simple everyday things that make our berries so tender, tasty, healthy and give them the perfect texture. Each parcel of land we farm with care and respect. Each weed we pull by hand. Each extra day we wait to ensure crops are harvested at peak ripeness. Each minute saved between field and freezer. Each berry perfectly preserved. Each unwanted substance detected and eliminated. And each delicious bite our customers enjoy.
