Oregon Cranberry Industry Growing

If you enjoyed some cranberries over the Thanksgiving holiday, you might want to thank the growing industry in Oregon.

Oregon Department of Agriculture Trade Development Manager Theresa Yoshioka said new innovative products– whether it’s juice or dried– are well received locally, nationally, and in emerging export markets.

“I think in most of the world, people care and are paying more attention to what they eat, and they are looking for healthy options. Cranberries are definitely one of those types of healthy foods. We see demand increasing in many markets around the world and, of course, in the US.”

Oregon ranks fourth in the nation in cranberry production with a value of more than $10 million.

Yoshioka said the cranberry industry is important to Oregon

“We are a cranberry state. We are, I think, fourth in the nation in production of cranberries. A lot of people don’t realize it because it’s not grown near population centers. Our cranberries are grown down in the South Coast area.”

Harvest in Coos and Curry counties is finishing up and all reports point to an average to better than average crop.