Cranberries are a key part of the local economy, making up a key part of the region's agricultural output.
Local cranberry growers got good news Friday from Congressman Bill Keating: the European Union will no longer put tarrifs on the majority of the berries from local bogs. The change will spell relief for two-thirds of the cranberry exports from Massachusetts.
"This is huge -- We’ve been concerned about the tarrifs for several months now," says Brian Wick, head of the Cape Cod Growers Association."The European union is our oldest and biggest export market, so to have a win there is great news for us."
Cranberry production is responsible for more than 6,900 jobs in the Bay State, primarily in Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstable counties. It has a $1.4 billion economic impact.
The proposed cranberry tariffs from the EU were retaliation for President Trump placing tarrifs on steel and aluminum imports from Europe.
Congressman Bill Keating says he was able to negotiate with EU officials and stop tarrifs from devastating a key export market.
