Wisconsin: the cranberry state

So, how many cranberries are we discussing here? While cranberries are no longer shipped or stored in wooden barrels, farmers still use the traditional 100-pound barrel as their standard measurement for cranberry harvests. In 2024, Wisconsin produced 4.9 million barrels of cranberries, which translates to 490 million pounds. And it gets even more impressive! Not only does Wisconsin lead the U.S. in cranberry production, but it also accounts for a significant portion of the world's cranberry supply!
When it comes to cranberry farming, there’s virtually no competition. Wisconsin produces twice as many cranberries as the second-ranking state, Massachusetts, which harvested 2.2 million barrels in 2024. What makes Wisconsin an ideal location for cranberry cultivation? Local farmers benefit from the state's abundant water resources and low pH soil—two essential factors for growing cranberries. Interestingly, only 5% of the cranberry harvest is sold as fresh fruit; the remainder is processed into frozen cranberries, dried cranberries, juices, and, of course, that beloved jellied canned cranberry sauce.
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