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Crantastic in Japan Save Email Print
Posted: 10:18 PM Oct 7, 2008
Last Updated: 10:47 PM Oct 7, 2008
Reporter: Mary Rinzel with Photographer Duane Wolter

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This year, 385 million pounds of cranberries will come out of bogs across Wisconsin; some destined to travel across the globe. Tuesday harvesters honed in on one country in particular.

It's that time: Bogs across the area are bustling.

At Habelman Brothers near Tomah, berries are rolling down the production lines, ready to be shipped to stores across the states and countries over seas.

"Usually Europe,” says Owner Ray Habelman. “Places like Germany, France or England."

Every year, 14 million pounds of cranberries come out of the Habelman Brother's marshes. With the harvests expanding every year, Ray Habelman says it's vital to continue to look into other markets like Japan.

That's where marketing expert Izumi Amano is from. She's spent the past couple days touring Wisconsin to learn as much as she can to turn cran into cash in Japan.

"50 to 60 percent say they've heard of cranberries, but have not tried them,” Amano says. “If you educate, there's lots of room to grow."

Amano says healthy eating is a huge selling point for the Japanese. Blueberries and raspberries have already tapped into that market. But, she says only five percent of the people in her country know about the health benefits of cranberries.

"I have two major goals: First is to raise awareness and second is to raise consumption," Amano says.

"It probably won't be real profitable right away mainly because of the huge expense to ship over there," Habelman says.

But, he says shipping his berries 6000 miles is a great start toward keeping his century-old, family-run business running strong.

"We know what we're doing and we’re proud of the quality of our berries and we'd like to keep expanding and still be here 100 years from now," he says.

A work ethic that is easily universal.

"From generation to generation, it's amazing people still have that passion that their great-grandfathers and their grandfathers had. I like that spirit,” Amano says.

According to the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, Wisconsin is the number one cranberry grower in the country and has been for 14 years. This fall, Wisconsin is projected to produce 3.85 million barrels of cranberries.

Experts say in order to meet market demand over the next decade, the state will need to grow and additional 1.5 million barrels.

Japan already imports almost 20,000 barrels of cranberries every year and has 200 cranberry products available.

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