Farm Credit East Releases Report on Economic Significance of the Massachusetts Cranberry Industry

Enfield, Conn. — The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the United States’ second largest producer of cranberries and home to numerous cranberry related businesses, resulting in this industry contributing more than $1.7 billion to the state’s economy. Farm Credit East Knowledge Exchange recently analyzed the economic significance of the Massachusetts cranberry industry and released its findings in a new report titled, “Economic Impact of the Cranberry Industry to Massachusetts.”

“This report quantifies the significant contribution the cranberry industry makes to the economy of Massachusetts,” said Chris Laughton, Farm Credit East Director of Knowledge Exchange. “Between the cultivation of cranberry bogs, processing and marketing activities, and the indirect and induced impacts of industry spending throughout the Commonwealth, the cranberry business is a significant contributor to the state’s economy.”

In 2022, the state’s nearly 13,000 acres of cranberry bogs produced total farm-gate value of $73.4 million. The Farm Credit East report analyzed the indirect and induced impacts of the industry, including spending on inputs, goods and services from other local firms, which grew the industry’s economic contributions to $151 million; cranberry-related processing and manufacturing has a $1.3 billion impact; and marketing and logistics has a $255 million impact. Combined, these activities result in a total of $1.7 billion contributed to the Massachusetts’s economy.

The report also stated the industry supports 6,392 jobs. Cranberry farming activities support 1,916 of those jobs and the activities of processors, marketers and logistics providers support 4,476 jobs.

Brian Wick, Executive Director of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association, said, “Farm Credit East’s report demonstrates the vital importance of this historic industry to southeastern Massachusetts. The substantial number of jobs and economic contributions are indicative of the major driver that cranberry agriculture is to the Commonwealth.”

To view the report, titled Economic Impact of the Cranberry Industry to Massachusetts, visit FarmCreditEast.com, or contact Chris Laughton at (800) 562-2235 or Chris.Laughton@farmcrediteast.com for more information.