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Oregon cranberry crop up 23 percent
For many years, cranberries have been one of the area's top agricultural crops, and Bandon has long been known as Cranberry Capital of Oregon."
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oregon is expected to harvest about 490,000 barrels of the hardy, tart red fruit this year, about 23 percent above the 2008 crop, which was 400,000 barrels (a barrel is 100 pounds of berries). Of that total, Coos and Curry counties produce 4 percent.
Excellent growing weather and pollination enhanced production levels this year, despite some pest-related front damage reported by growers. Some newly renovated bogs will be harvested this year, further increasing production, according to the NASS. The 2007 Oregon cranberry crop was 495,000 barrels.
Nationwide, the crop is forecast at 7.09 million barrels, down a total of 10 percent nationwide from 2008. Production is down by 11 percent in Wisconsin and 20 percent in Massachusetts.
Each acre of cranberries yields roughly 175 barrels. Bandon is one of four cranberry-producing areas on the West Coast, representing approximately one-third of the total West Coast crop. There are approximately 175 growers in Coos and Curry counties, representing 2,500-plus acres of berries.
Ninety-nine percent of the berries harvested in Coos and Curry counties are sent to plants where they are either frozen or processed into juice concentrate to be used for juice products.
A small amount, about 3,000 barrels, is sold as fresh fruit. Bandon cranberries are prized for their rich color and tart taste ” perfect for making juice. The annual harvest usually starts in mid-September and ends around Thanksgiving.
Growers from Coos and Curry counties deliver to Ocean Spray, Cape Blanco Cranberries, McKenzie Farms, Faber Farms and other plants in the area.
Most growers "wet harvest"their crops by flooding the bogs with water.
Each fall, Bandon celebrates its annual Cranberry Festival to honor the industry that has provided a livelihood for hundreds of residents for many years.
