Going Global Juices Cranberry Biz

Farmers raking it in after successful campaign to sell US berry to the world

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 27, 2008 6:44 AM CST

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Going Global Juices Cranberry Biz — Cranberry harvester Mike Costa, of Taunton, Mass., uses a rake to push cranberries toward an underwater pump in a flooded cranberry bog in Carver, Mass., last year. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

America's cranberry farmers have turned sour times around with a push to bring the berry to the world, the New York Times reports. Eight years ago, farmers were faced with a glut of berries, but now, with almost a third of the crop being exported to nations who have been sold on the distinctly American taste, they can barely meet demand—even with this year's bumper crop.

Exports initially faced resistance. Spain didn't even have a word for it until it was dubbed "randano rojo,” or “red blueberry.” Foreign palates were won over with the help of a campaign from Ocean Spray—buyer of 70% of America's cranberry crop—stressing "cranberry mystique" and the berry's health-giving properties.
(More cranberries stories.)

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