The USDA says that producers voting in a referendum on the federal marketing order for cranberries did not show enough support to continue the program.
The marketing order requires that USDA conduct a referendum on the marketing order every four years, according to a news release. The marketing order was favored by 26.5% of cranberry growers voting in the referendum and by 20.1% of the production volume voted in the referendum, the release said.
Either 50% support by number of voting producers or 50% of the volume of cranberries they represent was needed for the program and the Cranberry Marketing Committee to remain in place, the release said. The voting period was June 9-30 this year.
The committee locally administers the marketing order by conducting research and promotion activities on behalf of the U.S. cranberry industry. The marketing order, which was established in 1962, provides for the use of volume control in the form of producer allotments, handler withholdings or a combination of both, according to the release.
USDA will engage with committee staff on next steps and intends to provide the opportunity for cranberry producers, industry participants and the public to express their views on terminating the program during an upcoming public notice and comment period.
More information about the marketing order regulating the handling of cranberries grown in 10 states is available on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s 929 Cranberry Marketing Committee webpage, the Marketing Orders and Agreements webpage or by contacting the Market Development Division at 202-720-8085.
