Sweetened Dried Cranberry Production On the Up

22/08/07 Ocean Spray ITG, the world’s leading cranberry cooperative, has announced a $27 million second expansion phase to add a further 100,000 square feet to the company’s Wisconsin Rapids sweetened dried cranberry production plant. This move comes in response to spiraling global demand for products containing sweetened dried cranberries.

Following hot on the heels of the 100,000 square-foot first phase extension of the Wisconsin Rapids facility, which started in June, completion of the second phase is due in 2009.  Once operational, the plant will have capacity to produce more than 30 million pounds of sweetened dried cranberries per year.

Demand for sweetened dried cranberries has seen double-digit growth in recent years.  New research revealing that sweetened dried cranberries may offer identical anti-bacterial properties to cranberry juice has broadened the scope of cranberry’s well-established health message into new applications, including baked goods, cereals and trail mix.  Manufacturers of these products can now benefit from the cranberry’s healthy proposition, as well as the unrivalled process tolerance of this versatile fruit.

Rob Beams, Vice-President at Ocean Spray ITG said: “Investment in our people and plant remain at the forefront of Ocean Spray’s strategy.  We continually review production capacity and, with sweetened dried cranberry sales soaring, this investment will ensure we continue to meet customer demand.”