Cranberry Stressline Archives

Nov. 22 - 29, 2000

More from Japan

CELLUCCI PROMOTES CRANBERRIES TO JAPANESE SHOPPERS

11/29/00 SAPPORO, Japan – Governor Paul Cellucci and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association today extolled the health benefits of cranberries as a reason for Japanese shoppers to choose from a variety of products made with Massachusetts cranberries available in Japanese stores. CONTINUED


CELLUCCI JOINS CRANBERRY GROWERS TO BOOST OVERSEAS SALES

Cites Market Versatility and Health Benefits of Cranberry

11/27/00 - Press release-- TOKYO, Japan Governor Paul Cellucci and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association today urged Japanese manufacturers, retailers and distributors to take advantage of Massachusetts’ bumper cranberry crops by using the berry in new products and marketing them to health-conscious Japanese. CONTINUED


Editorial

Quenching the global thirst with chemicals?

11/23/00 Coke and Quaker have broken off talks and Quaker is in play again, raising speculation that ultimately Pepsi will end up acquiring the company. However, a larger question relevant to the cranberry industry was raised in a New York Times article: "For Coke, its decision to abandon its bid essentially demonstrated the board's unwillingness to pay so much for Gatorade, which has yet to prove itself in overseas markets where the company is projecting much of its growth." Indeed, the long-term future market growth of sports drinks, which have no dependence on a fruit supply, is solely dependent on the acceptance of this product by a large number of international consumers. CONTINUED


In the Papers:

Welch's hopes ads add to growth: Concord co-op aims to keep momentum after record sales year

11/29/00 From the article: "Effective ad campaigns are vital to cooperatives such as Welch's. With growers more productive than ever, the challenge for the co-op is to stimulate demand so it keeps pace with an expanding supply. That has not been easy, as recent troubles at Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. of Lakeville can attest. In fact, Welch's is one of the few co-ops to have recent success, and it gives the 'Memories' ad campaign much of the credit. ''The key to our success has been our ability to increase the demand for our products in the marketplace, and this at a time when almost every other commodity is struggling,'' chairman Fredrick P. Kilian and chief executive Daniel P. Dillon said in Welch's just released annual report."  Boston Globe article

11/28/00 AP story on cranberry marketing in Japan --    11/25/00 Record crop a mixed blessing in The Bangor Daily News -- 11/23/00 This story was on CNN television here, and also on the CNN web site (click names for photos) -- One we missed: Bogged down in berries from the Puget Sound Business Journal, Oct. 6, 2000 -- 11/23/00 More on Makepeace development plans from the Boston Globe -- Cranberry growers eye Pacific, in The Cape Cod Times -- 11/22/00 More on health benefits from The Dallas Morning News -- Berries head to China,   Article in Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune -- Coca-Cola abandons its plans to buy Quaker in The New York Times  

Ocean Spray Names Former Cadbury Executive VP of New Product Development

11/27/00 Press release - (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Karl R. Johnson, a top executive with Foote Cone and Belding and Dr. Pepper / Cadbury Beverages, joined Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., today as Vice President of the company's new product division. CONTINUED


A long shot: Quaker could consider a merger with Ocean Spray

11/24/00 -- Now that Coke and Danone have dropped efforts to acquire Quaker Oats (see NY Times article), another alternative may seem more and more attractive to Quaker shareholders. There is probably only one other reasonable step, aside from a sale to a multi-national, that Quaker can afford to take, which will significantly strengthen their position in the marketplace and increase value to their shareholders. CONTINUED


CNN TV covers cranberry crisis

11/24/00 Keith Mann and Jere Downing were interviewed for this story - read transcript and see pictures here

From the
Middleboro Gazette

Grim Thanksgiving in Cranberry Country

by Karen Dusek, Special Writer

Republished with Permission

11/22/00 - Thanksgiving has always been a cranberry grower's favorite holiday.  It is after all, the day when those tart, bouncy red berries can be found on the tables of millions of families throughout the country in sauces, juices, breads, spreads, snacks and desserts. But this Thanksgiving represents the end of a growing season when, for the first time in 30 years, berries had to be destroyed in an attempt to save the industry, putting growers and handlers at odds with one another and leaving them wondering what awaits them next year. 

"I'm not in the business of destroying food," said Linda Rinta of Wareham, who sells her crop from 90 acres of leased and family-owned bogs  that extend into Middleboro, Carver, Wareham and Rochester to both Ocean Spray and an independent handler.  "It goes against the grain of any Yankee. It was very hard. You do something for 30 years and then all of a sudden you don't."  CONTINUED


Cranberry crisis covered by New York Times - in the Living Section

11/22/00 New Yorkers and others regularly read New York Times Living Section writer Amanda Hesser's articles about interesting, but non-controversial topics, like last week's series on Thanksgiving traditions in different parts of the United States. This week, on the day before Turkey Day no less, she delves into "The case of Vanishing Cranberries" with a piece of investigative reporting one wouldn't expect in the Living Section. 

Hesser became curious about the cranberry industry when she noticed that, as the holidays approached, the prices for fresh cranberries in the store were the same as last year even though she knew there was a surplus. In her research she discovered that cranberries are "a peculiar little commodity that isn't governed by the usual laws of supply and demand."

Neither supermarkets nor Ocean Spray come off well in the article. Hesser quotes a source who explains a fact well known to industry insiders - that no matter what supermarkets pay wholesale for cranberries - they decide how much to charge the consumer. Then she quotes the purchasing director of a Manhattan grocery chain who blames Ocean Spray for only reducing the wholesale price slightly despite the surplus. He says, about Ocean Spray, that "they are probably one of the least flexible shippers in the produce industry." Read article here.


Nov. 9 - Nov. 20 : Ocean Spray could be scooped up by one of the major soft drink companies -- Basseuner China initiative makes news -- Northland announces reformulation of 100% juices -- On a cranberry marketing order for 2001 by John Decas -- Editorials: A few thoughts on the 27% solution and  Slotting fees: Bribes or extortion