USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

According to the USDA and Ocean Spray, 4.9 million barrels of cranberries are projected to be harvested this fall. However, the recent warmer weather has growers in Wisconsin, which accounts for 60% of U.S. production, optimistic they’ll even top that.

Grant Holley, Executive Director for the Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association, commented on their state’s crop:

“Now, we’ve been traveling around the state. We’re looking, and this late summer type weather here in Wisconsin has really plumped up those berries and we’re fairly confident we’re definitely going to be above five million barrels this year, and maybe even a little bit north of that.”

Southern bogs are expected to be harvested soon, while northern bogs are taking advantage of the warmer weather to bump up berry size for a couple more weeks before starting harvest.

Read more on this fall’s cranberry harvest.