Dried cranberries
Dried cranberries suppliers and sourcing guide
Dried cranberries are made from the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), grown mainly in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Quebec and Chile. Because the raw fruit is very tart, berries are usually sliced or scored, partly de-juiced, infused with sugar syrup or fruit juice concentrate, then dried and lightly coated with vegetable oil. Brands buy them whole, sliced or diced, sweetened with sugar, juice or reduced-sugar systems.
- Category
- Food staples and powders
- Also known as
- sweetened dried cranberries · SDC · Vaccinium macrocarpon · infused dried cranberries · dried cranberry pieces
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of dried cranberries
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Sweetened whole or sliced
The standard infused product, sweetened with sucrose syrup and oiled to stay free-flowing.
Diced
Small cubes for bars, cereal and bakery, often dusted with rice flour.
Juice-infused
Infused with apple or other fruit juice concentrate instead of added sugar syrup.
Reduced sugar
Infused with fibers or non-nutritive sweeteners to lower total sugars.
Organic
Made from certified organic cranberries with organic sugar or juice.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Water activity and moisture
- Water activity by a dew point meter and moisture by oven or analyzer; these set texture and mold risk.
- Sugars or Brix
- Total sugars by HPLC, needed for the sugars and added sugars lines on a label.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast, mold, coliforms and E. coli; yeast and mold are the main spoilage risks.
- Oil content
- Amount of added vegetable oil, which affects flow and clumping.
- Foreign material and defects
- Stems, capstems, unsliced berries and extraneous matter by visual inspection.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store in sealed, lined cartons in a cool, dry place away from strong odors; warm storage leads to clumping, sugar migration and color loss. Keep cartons off the floor and away from walls. Shelf life follows the supplier's spec, usually set from water activity and packaging.
Lots and expiry dates
Color, size, oil level and water activity vary by crop and by infusion run, so record cut size, sweetener system and origin on each lot. Check that sweetener and oil type match the label (for example sunflower oil), since suppliers may switch, and rotate first-expiring lots first (FEFO).
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
USDA's Commercial Item Description A-A-20299C for infused and dried fruits includes cranberries as whole, sliced or diced styles.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)A-A-20299C says the dried fruits may be infused with sugar, invert sugar, fruit juices or other sweeteners, and notes reduced sugar dried fruits are available as cranberries only.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)Unless the purchaser specifies otherwise, A-A-20299C sets water activity for infused fruits at not more than 0.62.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)A-A-20299C allows infused fruits to be dusted lightly with rice flour or sprayed lightly with vegetable oil to prevent clumping.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Dried cranberries suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking dried cranberries suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell dried cranberries? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of dried cranberries can brands buy?
Common forms include sweetened whole or sliced, diced, juice-infused, reduced sugar and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for dried cranberries include?
Expect water activity and moisture, sugars or Brix, microbiology, oil content and foreign material and defects, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should dried cranberries be stored?
Store in sealed, lined cartons in a cool, dry place away from strong odors; warm storage leads to clumping, sugar migration and color loss. Keep cartons off the floor and away from walls. Shelf life follows the supplier's spec, usually set from water activity and packaging.
What is the regulatory status of dried cranberries?
USDA's Commercial Item Description A-A-20299C for infused and dried fruits includes cranberries as whole, sliced or diced styles. A-A-20299C says the dried fruits may be infused with sugar, invert sugar, fruit juices or other sweeteners, and notes reduced sugar dried fruits are available as cranberries only. Unless the purchaser specifies otherwise, A-A-20299C sets water activity for infused fruits at not more than 0.62. A-A-20299C allows infused fruits to be dusted lightly with rice flour or sprayed lightly with vegetable oil to prevent clumping.
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