Plant Survey Summary Data
As of April 17, 2012:



141 MAA Members on file
11 Non-confirmed that submitted survey data
152 Total Known Grower Farms

68% Returned Plant Survey Data (new surveys, combined with last year’s survey data if no new data
received this year)
Where do the MAA Growers reside? (source: farm address, plant surveys)
IA
NE
IL
WI
MO
SD
MN
ND
OR
Canada
95
22
11
10
4
4
2
1
1
2
152
63%
14%
7%
7%
3%
3%
1%
1%
1%
1%
How many Aronia Plants are in the ground? (source: plant surveys)
IA
NE
IL
WI
MO
SD
MN
ND
OR
Canada
188,162
92,450
14,403
34,145
1,000
7,334
2,186
850
2,000
342,530
55%
27%
4%
10%
0%
2%
1%
0%
0%
1%
This is only 1/3 of the 1 million reported
as sold.
What year were the bushes planted? (source: plant surveys)
ALL
2005 or earlier
1.1%
3,700
2006
0.4%
1,500
2007
1.5%
5,000
2008
5.1%
17,379
2009
19.5%
66,867
2010
28.5%
97,773
2011
20.9%
71,449
192,219
NonContract
ed
1.3%
3,700
0.5%
1,500
1.7%
5,000
5.8%
17,179
20.1%
59,267
25.4%
74,953
2012
23.0%
78,862
342,530
19.7%
58,067
25.5%
75,286
294,952
Contract
ed
-
-
0.4%
200
-
13.2%
6,100
49.5%
22,820
29.0%
13,382
7.8%
3,576
46,078






86%
13%
Plants in the ground are still relatively young. Only 9% were planted in 2008 or earlier.
For cultivars, 70 – 80% are Viking. Others are McKenzie, Nero, Gala Janka, Autumn Magic, etc.
Based on survey responses, 13% of plants are under contract.
o Contracts usually are for a five year term based on conversations at the conference.
Berry production rates were reported by only a few growers so numbers might be random and not
indicative of all growers. They seem low.
o Based on the single response we got for older bushes, seven year old bushes are producing
2.5 lbs per bush.
o Three year old bushes are producing between .04 – 1.17 lbs / bush. (Average was .50)
o Two year old bushes are producing between .02 – 1.45 lbs / bush. (Average was .37)
Based on experience and usual production levels, a very rough estimate of 500,000 - 600,000 lbs of
berries collectively will be used for co-op start-up needs.
Spring frost reports in April / May will change the above estimates. A grower survey should be used
to collect more accurate planned production levels for Fall, 2012.
Organic Status
Yes
Tranisitioning
No
Unreported

53,355
129,990
146,573
12,612
342,530
16%
38%
43%
4%
54%
No guarantee that those transitioning will make it to organic certified, but these are the facts reported
on current status.