Michigan maple syrup production up in '06

LANSING, MI -- Michigan maple syrup production was estimated at 78,000 gallons for the 2006 season, 20,000 gallons above the 2005 output, according to the USDA, NASS, Michigan Field Office. This was a late season for Michigan maple syrup producers. Once started, the season was good. Producers reported that the syrup was high quality, with high sugar content of the sap early in the season.

The length of the season was 21 days, compared to 16 days in 2005 and 26 days in 2004. The survey indicated that 12 percent of syrup producers believed that the temperature was too cool, 17 percent that it was too warm and 71 percent that it was favorable during the tapping season. The survey also indicated 59 percent of the syrup produced was medium in color, up from 56 percent in 2005.

Tied with Ohio, Michigan ranked fifth in maple syrup production in 2006, up from sixth last year. The State produced 5 percent of the total U.S. production. Total taps were 375,000 and the syrup yield was 0.208 gallons per tap. In 2005, Michigan producers sold 48 percent of their syrup retail, 28 percent wholesale, and 24 percent bulk. The average price per gallon for 2005 was $36 compared with $38 in 2004.

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 2 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.

Production doubled in Wisconsin, and is up 34 percent in Michigan, 13 percent in Ohio, 12 percent in New Hampshire, and 8 percent in Pennsylvania.

Large increases in yield as well as additional taps set in many States led to this year's increased production. 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.