Syrup Production Up 20 Percent Nationwide

The 2004 United States maple syrup production totaled 1.51 million gallons, up 20 percent from 2003. The number of taps was estimated at 6.96 million, up two percent from the 2003 total of 6.83 million, while the yield per tap was estimated to be 0.217 gallons, up 17 percent from 2003.

Maple syrup production increased in every State this year and was at the highest level since 1996. Vermont led all States in production with 500,000 gallons, an increase of 19 percent from last season. Maine's production, at 290,000 gallons, increased two percent from 2003. New York produced 255,000 gallons, 21 percent above 2003. Production was up in Ohio by 53 percent, New Hampshire by 38 percent, Michigan by 36 percent, Massachusetts by 35 percent, Wisconsin by 32 percent, Pennsylvania by 15 percent, and Connecticut by 10 percent. Increased yield per tap in all States combined with more taps set in most producing States resulted in the production increase over the previous season.

Temperatures were generally favorable for good sap flow and syrup production in all of the maple producing States.

In New England, maple syrup production for 2004 totaled 934,000 gallons, up 15 percent from last year. Vermont remained the largest producing State in New England and the Nation, with 54 percent of the region's production and 33 percent of the total United States syrup. Taps in New England totaled 4.0 million, up two percent from last year and making up 58 percent of the Nation's maple taps.

Full Report: 2004 Maple Syrup Production Report