It’s a banner year for cranberries


Global glut overshadows the fact that B.C. producers are recording a huge harvest. By Grant Ullyot


thought that about 100 million pounds would be harvested this year. “Not all cranberry growing regions


F


in North America have been as fortunate as B.C., but 2016 appears to be our year,” Jack Brown, chair of the B.C. Cranberry Marketing Commission, said as harvesting was under way. “Berries are coming into receiving


stations in Langley and Richmond in record numbers. While it is still early to say for certain, estimates suggest the harvest should be near completion by mid-November.” Cranberries are grown in the


Richmond, Delta, South Burnaby, Langley, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge areas. The biggest challenge facing


cranberry growers in this province is over-supply. Quebec has nearly doubled its production and is fast becoming a major player in the market. The United States continues to be the number one producer and is also expanding its production. Brown notes it will be a while


before they know the final harvest figure and the price for this years’ crop. Last year, growers had a bit of a


water problem to deal with, but this year everything was fine. Getting into the cranberry business


is an expensive undertaking, Brown points out. “First of all, you need to own or


purchase several acres of land on which to locate your bog. Then it takes a few years to develop your plants, and of course you need a good source of water. By the time you harvest your first crop you will have spent or are in debt thousands


8 British Columbia Berry Grower • Winter 2016-17


inal crop production numbers weren’t complete as this issue went to press, but it was


of dollars.” Just like the other berry crops


grown in B.C., cranberries have pests. Fortunately, growers now have a research farm in Delta that is working on ways to reduce or eliminate pests. “However, it is very challenging,”


Brown adds. The farm also serves as the centre


for developing new varieties of cranberries, some of them by university research programs, with


about five or six new varieties now being evaluated. Brown says establishment of the


research farm has been one of the best things to take place in the industry. “It’s hard to imagine where we would be without it.” Cranberries are available year-


round and whether fresh, frozen, dried or in juice, there is always a convenient way to ensure consumers are getting a daily dose of this tangy and healthy addition to their diets.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16