US: Cranberry Marketing Order suspended in wake of vote

The USDA is no longer collecting assessments from cranberry growers and handlers after they voted to discontinue the Cranberry Marketing Order. The marketing order regulated the handling of cranberries grown in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington and Long Island, New York. Handlers are not required to submit assessments on cranberries handled during the 2023-24 crop year or reports, including those on acquisitions and inventory. During the suspension period, the Cranberry Marketing Committee, which locally administers the order, will use its financial reserves to fund promotion and other authorized activities. This action follows the results of the referendum the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) conducted in June. AMS will conduct rulemaking and invite comments in the coming months to determine stakeholder and public support for terminating the cranberry marketing order. The marketing order requires ...