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FACT BRIEF

Does Wisconsin grow more cranberries than any other state?

By Hope Karnopp
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YES

Wisconsin is the leading producer of cranberries, according to the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association. 

Wisconsin grew about 60% of the 2020 crop nationwide, according to the research arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  

Wisconsin was projected to produce 4.3 million of the total 7.44 million barrel crop in 2022, up 3% from the year prior.

Only four other states produce cranberries on a large scale. Massachusetts is the second largest producer, followed by New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. 

According to the state cranberry association, 250 producers grow cranberries on 21,000 acres across 20 counties in central and northern Wisconsin. The cranberry harvest spans from late September through October.

The cranberry industry has about a $1 billion economic impact in Wisconsin. Originally called "crane berries" for their resemblance to the red spots on sandhill cranes, the cranberry was designated Wisconsin's state fruit in 2003.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association About cranberries
US Department of Agriculture U.S. cranberry harvest expected to be 5 percent larger in 2022
NBC15 Wisconsin expected to lead U.S. in cranberry production
State of Wisconsin State Symbols
US Department of Agriculture Cranberry production in top-producing States to increase modestly in 2021
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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.