Maple Syrup at Record Low in 2000

Michigan maple syrup production was estimated at 44,000 gallons for the 2000 season, 29,000 gallons below the 1999 output. This season was a difficult year for the production of quality syrup. For most, the season was too short, due to much warmer than normal temperatures in March. Nearly all respondents felt that the unseasonably high temperatures were too warm for good syrup production. This year's production is a record low, 20 percent below the previous record lows in 1995 and 1998.

The average price received per gallon was $3200 compared with $28.20 last year. The preliminary value of production for 2000 was estimated at $1.4 million, down 32 percent from 1999. Michigan ranked seventh in maple production in 2000, down from sixth last year, and produced about 4 percent of the total US production.

The 2000 U.S. maple syrup production totaled 1.23 million gallons, up 4 percent from last year. The preliminary value of production, at $33.3 million, is up two percent from 1999. Vermont led all States in production with 460,000 gallons, an increase of 24 percent from last season. Maine was the second leading State with 250,000 gallons of production. Temperatures were generally favorable for good sap flow and syrup production in New England. In other States, however, above normal temperatures shortened the length of the season. Sugar content of the sap was below average; 46 gallons of sap were required to produce a gallon of syrup. Most syrup was medium and dark amber colored. Very little light syrup was produced.