Maple Syrup Production Down

Michigan maple syrup production was estimated at 58,000 gallons for the 2005 season, 22,000 gallons below the 2004 output. This was a very short season for Michigan maple syrup producers due to the adverse weather conditions. The length of the season for 2005 was 16 days compared to 26 days in 2004. The survey indicated that 43 percent of the syrup producers believed that temperatures were too cool, 34 percent too warm and 23 percent favorable during the tapping season. The survey also indicated that 56 percent of the syrup produced was medium in color, 33 percent was light, and 11 percent was dark. Sugar content of the sap was higher than last year.

Michigan ranked sixth in maple syrup production in 2005, the same as last year and produced 5 percent of the total U.S. production. Total taps were 390,000 and the syrup yield was 0.149 gallons per tap. In 2004, Michigan producers sold 60 percent of their syrup retail, 23 percent wholesale, and 17 percent bulk. The average price per gallon for 2004 was $32.70 compared with $33.10 in 2003. The value of production for 2004 was $3.0 million, up 7 percent from 2003.

The 2005 U.S. maple syrup production totaled 1.24 million gallons, down 18 percent from 2004. The number of taps is estimated at 7.10 million, up 2 percent from the 2004 total of 6.96 million, while the yield per tap is estimated to be 0.175 gallons, down 19 percent from 2004.

Maple syrup production decreased in every State this year except for Pennsylvania. Vermont led all States in production with 410,000 gallons, a decrease of 18 percent from last season. Maine's production, at 265,000 gallons, decreased 9 percent from 2004. New York produced 222,000 gallons, 13 percent below 2004. Production was down in Ohio by 12 percent, New Hampshire by 31 percent, Michigan by 27 percent, Massachusetts by 20 percent, Wisconsin by 50 percent, and Connecticut by 9 percent. Pennsylvania's production increased by 2 percent. An increase in taps in most States was more than offset by a decrease in yield causing production to decline.

The 2004 U.S. average price per gallon was $28.40, up $0.10 from the 2003 price of $28.30. The U.S. value of production, at $42.8 million for 2004, was 20 percent above 2003. The average price per gallon increased in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio and Vermont showing price decreases.