Positive News for Unique Plymouth County Industry
A report this week from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) bodes well for the 2008 cranberry crop in Plymouth County. While their economic forecast calls for a five percent increase in the United States cranberry crop,the USDA predicts a twenty-five percent increase in barrels of cranberries here in Massachusetts.
While local growers are always cautious until the harvesting of berries is complete, Plymouth County growers, who comprise the largest share of Massachusetts growers, should be the beneficiaries of less winter kill and our rainy July and August according to the report. The Department of Agriculture forecasts 1.9 million 100-pound barrels of cranberries from the 458 Massachusetts cranberry growers.
Beyond the beauty of our soon to come fall harvest are positive economic results for Plymouth County families. Historically, the cranberry industry has played an important part in the Plymouth County economy. Ocean Spray Cranberries, a growers’ cooperative which represents about 70% of the global cranberry business, began in a building on Main Street in Hanson. Ocean Spray Cranberries’ current headquarters is in Lakeville.
The harvesting season, which usually runs from mid-September to early November, also provides a great end of season tourism boost to Plymouth County.
