New Brunswick's cranberry industry is hoping to get a major boost from U.S. juice drink giant Ocean Spray, which is considering a new operation in the province.

The large American cranberry co-operative will be holding a public meeting in Rogersville, a small village of 1,100 people about 90 kilometres north of Moncton, on Tuesday to discuss its plans, which could include making the province Ocean Spray's regional hub of production.

The company, which says it is the continent's largest canned juice and bottled juice producer, has not made any public statements on its proposal but local producers are hopeful.

Gerald Richard, the president of the New Brunswick Cranberry Growers Association, said there are 22 growers in the province with operations spanning about 190 hectares, with the sites ranging in size from one to 30 hectares. Richard said the provincial crop was worth about $9 million in 2008.

Wants to know more

The cranberry industry started in the mid-1990s and Richard said it has taken some time to grow. Richard said he wants to know more about Ocean Spray's plans.

"I think already they've recognized that this is a primary growing area in New Brunswick," he said.

"We grow a high-quality berry and they recognize that because if they come all the way from the U.S. to do that here it's certainly an area that they feel they'll have success."

An Ocean Spray spokesperson said the company has submitted an environmental impact assessment registration with the Department of Environment.

Richard, who owns about 20 hectares of cranberries in the St. Charles area southeast of Rogersville, said he's encouraged by the possibilities that could come with Ocean Spray moving into the province.

"My hope is that they will also bring expertise and more specialized equipment. We know that Ocean Spray invests a lot of money in research and development," he said. "I'm hoping with them in the area they'll be able to share that information with us and make our industry even better."