USDA buying cranberries due to oversupply
MADISON, Wis. - An oversupply of cranberries from record harvests in Wisconsin and Canada has prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to buy up to 68 million pounds of berries.
The result will be more stable prices for cranberry growers. The oversupply means growers are getting between 10 cents and 19 cents a pound.
Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association says growers need 25 cents to 30 cents a pound to break even.
Association spokesman Tom Lochner tells Wisconsin Public Radio News growers asked the USDA to buy around 30 million pounds of excess cranberries. The agency instead said it would more than double that.
The cranberry products will likely be distributed to school lunch programs and food pantries.
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