Wisconsin cranberry growers set another record in 2013, producing just over 6 million barrels of cranberries, which accounted for 67 percent of the country’s cranberries.
That’s an increase of 25 percent from 2012, when the state produced 4.8 million barrels, according to the Office of the Governor. In 2013, Wisconsin produced more than three times the cranberries of Massachusetts, the next highest producer.
Cherry and apple production has also picked up from 2012, when the weather was not ideal for high production.
In 2013, 12.3 million pounds of tart cherries were harvested, up from 1.7 million pounds in 2012. That puts Wisconsin in fourth nationwide for tart cherry production.
The state harvested 41.7 million pounds of apples in 2013, up from 23.7 million in 2012.
“I drink cranberry juice every day, because of the exceptional health benefits, great taste, and of course, to support our title as the top cranberry producer in the nation,” said Gov. Scott Walker. “I commend all of our farmers for their efforts, hard work, and determination, particularly those who have faced extreme weather conditions these past few years.”