As the blooming period begins, cranberry growers are hard at work preparing for the harvest. Here’s an overview of the current situation in the main producing regions.
Quebec
Spring 2025 was cold throughout the province, delaying the cranberry plants’ emergence from dormancy. May also stood out for growers, being the rainiest month in the past five years.
Fortunately, June was much milder than last year, creating optimal field conditions for both pollination and fertilization operations. Pollinators have been very active in the fields this year, an encouraging sign for fruit set. The floral potential observed during this period suggests a potentially abundant harvest so far.
For July, the hope is that temperature fluctuations will decrease. Ideally, warm days and cool nights would greatly benefit the plants by promoting good fruit set and growth. On the organic side, the recent heavy rains are not ideal for the fields. Intense rainfall during fertilization increases plant density, which attracts pests. Growers must adapt their operations and carefully time applications to mitigate this issue.
New Brunswick
In this province, spring temperatures were quite similar to those in Quebec. Some damage was observed in certain growing regions, affecting potential yields. Nevertheless, an average harvest is projected for New Brunswick.
Massachusetts
Winter was not particularly kind to the fields in Massachusetts. Although some fields were protected by ice, a rare occurrence in this state, the extremely cold temperatures caused damage in many areas. We hope that summer precipitation and temperatures will be more favorable to help the fields reach their potential. Since the current potential is already below average, we hope that conditions during fruit set and growth will be supportive. However, we are expecting a harvest below historical averages.
Wisconsin
Temperatures have been relatively mild in this state, the largest cranberry producer. The fields were well protected this winter, and so far, pollination and blooming are progressing well. The harvest looks promising, although slightly lower than last year, which was a record year for the state.
Market Situation
Following the 2024 harvest, another abundant crop could significantly impact the market. On the organic side, specific agronomic challenges suggest that overall volume in this segment may decline, despite all the efforts being made. Indeed, professionals in the cranberry network are actively supporting organic growers through numerous research projects and initiatives aimed at finding alternatives to existing tools. Given the overall available volume and current sociopolitical challenges, a slight price increase is likely for dried cranberries. We recommend securing your orders with our sales team as soon as possible before the harvest.
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 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.
