Cranberry Market Update 28.11.23

Canada

Following a record-breaking harvest in 2022, Quebec is now grappling with a challenging season that may establish additional records, albeit of an undesirable nature. The 2023 harvest has the potential to be even smaller than the markedly low volume year of 2017 which had the smallest yield in a decade.

Despite spring's flowering stems indicating a normal harvest, the occurrence of numerous frosts, followed by heavy rain during the flowering stage significantly impeded pollination. July also had persistent heavy rainfall coupled with unusually warm nights, which fostered heightened vegetative growth at the expense of berry development. Cooler days in August also didn't bring much respite, with cooler days further diminishing fruit set. 2023 will be remembered for its subpar harvest, experiencing a 40% reduction in yield compared to 2022.

The conditions in eastern Canada mirrored those in Quebec but conversely, British Columbia presents a contrasting picture, anticipating an above-average yield due to consistently favourable conditions throughout the year. Nonetheless, this region contributes only about 10% to the country's overall cranberry harvest.

Because of this, Canada is poised for an overall harvest approximately 30% lower than last year.

The United States

Our expectations for Massachusetts were optimistic, aiming for a harvest reminiscent of the successful 2022 season. Unfortunately, this region also grappled with an unusually high frequency of overnight frosts. The season's persistent moisture further impacted yields, and projections suggest a decrease of 10-15% compared to last year.

Wisconsin's season commenced similarly to the aforementioned regions, marked by a few frosts, one of which inflicted significant damage on several farms. In terms of precipitation, the rest of the season diverged from the patterns observed in Quebec and Massachusetts. It was exceptionally dry, devoid of prolonged extreme temperatures. While such conditions typically favour cranberry cultivation, this year proved an exception, likely due to the prolonged drought. Consequently, the state anticipates surpassing the yields of the past 4 years but will be deemed average against the large 2018 harvest.

On a national scale, the U.S. harvest is poised to be 6% higher than the previous year.

via Fruit d'Or