Ocean Spray releases cranberry harvest estimate

Cranberry harvest predicted to be about 11 million barrels globally, same as in 2012

MILWAUKEE — This year’s cranberry harvest is expected to be about 11 million barrels worldwide, or roughly about the same as last year’s.

That’s according to Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., the nation’s largest cranberry processor. Ocean Spray is owned by the farmers that supply it with cranberries.

The Massachusetts-based company released its estimate of the global cranberry harvest on Monday. It expects the global crop to be between 11.1 million and 11.5 million barrels. Each barrel weighs 100 pounds.

Wisconsin is the nation’s largest cranberry producer, followed by Massachusetts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last spring that it would buy up to $5 million worth of cranberry products for domestic food assistance programs to help shore up prices. Cranberry prices fell after an unexpected jump in production in Canada.