Raisin Growers Launch $1.5 Million Attack Against Craisins

Let the vicious battle of Craisins vs. raisins begin. Launched in 1989 Ocean Spray’s craisins have managed to grab a large market share over California’s traditional raisin growers and they’ve apparently had enough.

The Raisins growers association announced this week that they will spend $5 per ton or nearly $1.5 million this year to promote their healthier, non-sugar infused snack to buyers.

The attack comes after Craisins saw sales numbers increase by 13.4% in 2010 while raisins sales numbers fell by 2.4% during that same time period.

To combat the popularity of Ocean Spray’s Craisins product industry leaders for raisin growers have launched the “Let’s Keep It Real” website which exposes the “truth about Craisins.”

For example the website explains that Craisins are dried, split and sugar-injected while raisins are simply dried grapes.

An advocated for the raisin industry tells the LA Times:

“It’s gone too far. They’re not even real food. They’re a dried cranberry skin that’s at least 40% added sugar. We had to do something,”

That advocate continues their attack by noting:

“Sure, they add a spot of color. But why not just put M&Ms on your salad?”

In the meantime the raisin industry might have bitten off more than it can chew with Ocean Spray conducting a “raisin vs. Craisin” taste test later this month.

One things for certain, the raisin industry will always have oatmeal raisin cookies to fall back on.

Then again Ocean Spray has already capitalized on Craisin’s success, calling it the official fruit of the holidays:

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Are you a fan of the Ocean Spray created product or would you rather snack on the wholesome flavor of a real raising?