Dried cranberries: harvest to start soon

September 18, 2024 at 8:29 AM , Der AUDITOR
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QUÉBEC. Canada's cranberry crop is in relatively good condition, with lower yields expected only in organically farmed areas. Meanwhile, growers are taking measures to protect the fruit from the autumn frosts.

Quality can withstand rainfall

August was characterised by a high rainfall rate in the Canadian cranberry growing regions. According to the experts at Emblem Cranberry, this year's crop is nevertheless in relatively good condition. The only problem for yields is when the roots of the bushes are completely submerged in water – this can occur in fields where the water cannot drain away properly or seep away quickly enough. This and other factors make it difficult for farmers to keep vegetative growth under control, which is why more fields are likely to produce lower yields than in previous years. Meanwhile, the maintenance of organically farmed areas involves a significant amount of extra work, which has often led to slower growth and even reduced yields. This makes organic farming less attractive for many growers and they switch back to conventional methods.

In the Canadian province of Québec, yields are expected to be largely average this year, and organic cranberries are unlikely to be able to keep up. Due to the onset of autumn frost, the cranberry fields have to be irrigated to protect them from the cold before the harvest begins in early October.  

EU imports keep increasing

Since the beginning of this year (1 January - 15 September 2024), a total of 27,112 mt of cranberries have been imported into the EU from third countries, representing a year-on-year increase of 14.1%. While imports from the main growing countries, the USA and Canada, increased by 33.3% to 13,409 mt and 12.9% to 10,405 mt respectively, imports from Chile fell by 29.9% to 3,127 mt in the same period. The main importers in the EU were the Netherlands (+18% to 18,220 mt), Germany (-5.2% to 2,000 mt) and Poland (-17.7% to 1,720 mt).

EU cranberry imports, in mt

Supplier

2023

2024

Diff.

USA

10,062

13,409

33.3%

Canada

9,223

10,405

12.8%

Chile

4,461

3,127

-29.9%

China

2

64

3100.0%

Serbia

3

14

366.7%

Others

9

93

933.3%

Total

23,760

27,112

14.1%

Provisional data; GD TAXUD surveillance system; 01/01-15/09

*20089391 Cranberries, containing added sugar, <1 kg

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