United States Maple Syrup Industry

The 2006 U.S. maple syrup production totaled 1.45 million gallons, up 17 percent from 2005. The number of taps is estimated at 7.26 million, up two percent from the 2005 total of 7.10 million, while the yield per tap is estimated to be 0.200 gallons, up 14 percent from the previous season.

Vermont led all states in production with 460,000 gallons, an increase of 12 percent from 2005. Maine’s production, at 300,000 gallons, increased 13 percent from last season. Production in New York, at 253,000 gallons, is 14 percent above 2005. Production doubled in Wisconsin, and is up 34 percent in Michigan, 13 percent in Ohio, 12 percent in New Hampshire, and eight percent in Pennsylvania. Production remained the same in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Large increases in yield as well as additional taps set in many States led to this year’s increased production.

Temperatures in the maple producing states varied across the country. While producers in Maine, Michigan, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin reported favorable conditions, producers in the other five States experienced weather that was either too warm or too cold for favorable sap flow. On average, the season lasted approximately 28 days compared to 24 days in 2005. Michigan and Pennsylvania had the earliest season opening date of January 1. Michigan also had the latest sap flow in 2006 with an approximate season ending date of May 2.

Sugar content of the sap for 2006 is down from last year. On average, approximately 43 gallons of sap were required to produce one gallon of syrup. This compares to with 40 gallons in 2005 and 42 gallons in 2004. The majority of the syrup produced this year is of medium color. The 2005 U.S. average price per gallon is $29.90, up $1.50 from the 2004 price of $28.40. The U.S. value of production, at $37.1 million for 2005, is down 13 percent from 2004. The average price per gallon increased in all States except Connecticut and Michigan.

New England (excluding Rhode Island): In New England maple syrup production for 2006 totaled 874,000, up 12 percent from last year. Vermont remained the largest producing state in New England and the nation, with 32 percent of the nation’s maple syrup. Taps in New England totaled 4.1 million, up less than one percent from last year and making up 57 percent of the nation’s maple taps.

The 2006 maple season was rated mostly favorable in temperature. Three New England states showed improved production from last year’s devastating crop losses, while Connecticut and Massachusetts remained unchanged from the previous year. Temperatures were reported to be 47 percent favorable, 30 percent too warm and 23 percent too cool. Many operations reported fluctuating temperatures with January starting off extremely warm and then changing so much that in February it was too cold for sap to flow in some areas.

Snow fall was pretty much non-existent this year, which made it easy to get in and out of the sugar bushes to set taps and collect sap. March finally brought mild days and cool nights, and increased sap flows. By mid-April however, many operators had decided to wrap the season up early as temperatures had begun to rise and trees were showing signs of budding. Earliest dates for each state were as follows: Connecticut and Vermont - January 15, Maine - January 20, Massachusetts - January 25, and New Hampshire - January 30. Latest closing dates were Connecticut - April 14, Maine – April 26, New Hampshire - April 29, and Massachusetts and Vermont - April 30. The sugar content of the sap was below average, requiring approximately 43 gallons of sap to produce a gallon of syrup. The majority of syrup produced was medium amber followed by dark amber and then light syrup.

2005 Prices And Sales: Across New England, the average equivalent price per gallon for 2005 maple syrup varied widely depending on the percentage sold retail, wholesale, or bulk. The 2005 all sales equivalent prices increased $4.90 in Massachusetts to $51.20, $2.10 in Maine to $21.50, $5.90 in New Hampshire to $41.30, and $0.50 in Vermont to $27.80. The price dropped $1.70 in Connecticut to $50.00. Maine’s price continues to be lower than the other states due to the high percentage of bulk sales within the state. It should be noted that bulk prices did show a large increase in 2005. New England’s 2005 gallon equivalent price of $28.13 reflects an increase of $1.26 from the 2004 price of $26.87.