With the recent increase of cranberry exports abroad, representatives from 12 countries are learning how they can better sell Wisconsin's most lucrative fruit.
Dozens of foreign visitors met at the Gottschalk Cranberry Farm near Wisconsin Rapids to discover even more about cranberries.
Local growers taught dozens of foreign visitors, all who are part of the International Cranberry Marketing Committee, how they can get more cranberries into the mouths of their people back home.
Wisconsin produces more than half of the world's cranberry supply, and about a quarter of America's supply is sold internationally.
The Foreign Trade Representatives waded through the marshes and got a birdseye view from a helicopter.
A German Representative says her comrades back home are crazy about sweetened, dried cranberries, and they're becoming more popular.
"When we started ten years ago, there were practically no cranberries and as of now last year we sold cranberries worth $34 million," says Maria Kraus who's visiting from Germany.
Harvesting season is underway, and the 230-plus acres of marshes on the Gottschalk Farm are already producing hefty yields.
Across the state, this year's crop is estimated to yield around 4 million barrels of the healthy, little fruit.
Cranberries have great health benefits, as well as economic benefits.
According to State Growers Association, Wisconsin's cranberry industry has an annual economic impact of 350 million dollars, and supports 7,200 jobs.
Cranberries are grown in 18 counties in North and Central Wisconsin.
