Maple: Syrup Production Increased in 2002

Michigan maple syrup production was estimated at 66,000 gallons for the 2002 season, 6,000 gallons above the 2001 output, according to the Federal/State Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service. This season was moderate for the production of quality syrup. Sugar content of the sap was lower and the syrup was darker in color than last year. Michigan ranked seventh in maple syrup production in 2002, the same as the last two years, and produced about 5 percent of the total U.S. production. The tapping season started this year on March 2 and ended April 3 for most producers. Total taps were 320,000, and the syrup yield in gallons was 0.206 per tap. In 2001, Michigan producers sold 68 percent of their syrup retail, 19 percent wholesale, and 13 percent bulk. The average price per gallon for 2001 was $31.40 compared with $35.10 in 2000. The value of production for 2001 was $1.9 million, up 22 percent from 2000. Publication of current year preliminary price and value was discontinued due to requests from the syrup industry. The 2002 U.S. maple syrup production totaled 1.36 million gallons, up 29 percent from last year's production of 1.05 million gallons. The number of taps is estimated at 6.58 million, up 1 percent from the 2001 total of6.48 million, while the yield per tap is estimated to be 0.206 gallons, up from 0.162 gallons in 2001. Vermont led all States in production with 495,000 gallons for 2002, an increase of 80 percent from last season. Maine was second with 230,000 gallons, up 15 percent from 2001. New York's production, at 228,000 gallons, increased 18 percent from 2001. Production increases in these three States are attributed to favorable weather early in the spring, which resulted in an earlier maple season and good sap flow. The lack of heavy snow cover made tapping trees and running tubing much easier this year. Production increases from 2001 also occurred in Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Michigan, and Massachusetts, where favorable weather conditions early in the spring and during the tapping season allowed for good sap flow.