2024 U.S. Cranberry Crop Forecast

Massachusetts Cranberries reports that the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the 2024 United States cranberry crop forecast. For Massachusetts, a crop of 2.2 million barrels (one barrel equals 100 pounds) is estimated, up 12% from the Commonwealth’s 2023 harvest. Overall, the national crop is anticipated to deliver 8.24 million barrels, an increase of 2% from last year.

“There is a fair amount of optimism among the grower community for the cranberry crop this year, compared to the disappointing harvest from last fall,” said Massachusetts Cranberries' Executive Director Brian Wick. “There are still many weeks in the growing season; the fruit needs to continue to size and color to be ready to begin picking at the end of September. The recent spate of hot and humid conditions will likely keep the Massachusetts crop lower than the USDA’s bullish estimate prediction, but with favorable weather and the skill of our hardworking cranberry growers, a good harvest is expected.”

Massachusetts Cranberries, established as Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association (CCCGA) in 1888, represents hundreds of cranberry growers in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket. Cranberries are the largest food commodity produced in Massachusetts, with an annual crop value of $73.4 million. The Commonwealth serves as the second largest cranberry-producing region in the United States. According to the Farm Credit East Knowledge Exchange Report, the cranberry industry provides nearly 6,400 jobs and a total economic benefit of more than $1.7 billion annually to the Massachusetts economy.