Vermont led all States in production with 430,000 gallons for 2003, a decrease of 14 percent from last season. New York's production, at 210,000 gallons, decreased 19 percent from 2002. Production decreases in Vermont and New York are attributed to cold weather early in the spring, and then temperatures warming too quickly later in the season. Heavy snowcover made tapping trees and running tubing more difficult this year. Some producers decided not to tap due to the heavy amounts of snow received. Maine produced 265,000 gallons, 15 percent above 2002. Maine was the only State to show an increase over last season. Weather in Maine was very similar to that of Vermont and New York. However, producers in northern Maine experienced a heavy sap run in mid-April, which enabled the State's production to show the increase over 2002.

Maple syrup production is down in Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In Connecticut, production is unchanged from last year. These States also cited extremely cold weather conditions early, followed by temperatures that warmed too quickly. In some areas of these States, producers decided not to tap due to excessive snow cover.

Temperatures were generally unfavorable for good sap flow and syrup production in all of the maple producing States. Overall, the 2003 season lasted an average of 50 days. This compares to 52 days in 2002 and 29 days in 2001. Season length ranged from 85 days in Connecticut to 15 days in Ohio.

Sugar content of the sap for 2003 was higher than last year. Approximately 41 gallons of sap was required to produce one gallon of syrup. This compares with 45 gallons in 2002 but unchanged from 2001. Most syrup was dark and medium colored, with only a small quantity of light syrup produced.

The 2002 U.S. average price per gallon was $27.60, down $1.00 from the 2001 price of $28.60. The U.S. value of production, at $38.4 million for 2002, was up 28 percent from 2001.