Cranberry growers have been expanding their acreage over the past years at the request of Ocean Spray and other processors who expected to see strong growth in overseas sales of juice and sweetened dried cranberries. However, growth has been slower than expected at 2%-3% overseas combined with flat demand in the U.S. leaving growers with an excess of fruit. Last year U.S. growers produced 402,300 tons of cranberries, up from 385,700 the year before. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has predicted that the 2012 crop would be worth nearly $48 per 100 pounds and announced last week it would buy up to $5 million worth of cranberry products for domestic use which would equal 110,000-130,000 barrels being taken off the market – falling short of the hoped for 500,000 barrels, driving a need for stronger overseas sales.