Cranberry farms increasingly popular, industry hoping for more

Cranberry farming on the island is a relatively new industry, but it's become increasingly popular — there are now 15 cranberry farms in operation.

Lloyd Warford, with the Cranberry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, says this year's harvest is much bigger than last year's crop.

Earlier this year, the federal and provincial government invested $7-million to grow the industry in the province.

Warford said since then, a new u-pick farm has even opened up in Grand Falls-Windsor.

He added he's hopeful cranberry farming and opening pick farms to the public will catch on.

"Contrary to what a lot of people think, cranberries are not grown in water — water is just used for harvest. Right now, you can go into a cranberry u-pick with your sneakers on, and everything is quite dry," he said.

However, Warford said there is still no processing facility in the province to prepare and package the berries for sale at local supermarkets.