Cranberry crop thriving in New Jersey

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BURLINGTON, N.J., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Agriculture Department says the cranberry crop in New Jersey should increase by nearly 5 percent this year, bucking a nationwide outlook.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday while the overall U.S. yield of cranberries is expected to fall 10 percent this year, New Jersey farmers are enjoying a boost in output that will help meet a growing worldwide demand for the berries.

Richard Nieuwenhuis, New Jersey Farm Bureau president, blamed the 2009 decline in cranberry output in states such as Massachusetts and Wisconsin on too much rain and cool temperatures.

"The crop is not as heavy and vibrant," said Nieuwenhuis, whose state enjoyed summer weather typically reserved for Wisconsin.

The Inquirer said a USDA report predicts Wisconsin's cranberry output will likely drop 11 percent this year and Massachusetts will endure an expected 20 percent yield decline compared with 2008.