The Trump Effect on the Massachusetts Cranberry Industry

If Thanksgiving cranberry sales don’t pick up, it could be a tough year for Massachusetts growers of the bitter fruit—and they’re placing much of the blame on the US trade war with China.

The Bay State’s cranberry output is the second-highest in the country, and the Ocean Spray brand is based here.

Brian Wick, executive director of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, explains that the Bay State crop so far is down about 4% from 2018, though there was an ample supply last year. But Wick says the loss of the Chinese market has been substantial since the tariffs went into effect in July 2018.

“Based on the USDA numbers nationally, we have lost a little over $50 million so far, since the tariffs have gone into place,” Wick says. “So, that’s a significant impact.”

Read more: https://digboston.com/state-wire-the-trump-effect-on-the-mass-cranberry-industry/