E-mail: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov (518) 457-5570 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Marisa Reuber Thursday, June 10,2010 www.nass.usda.gov/ny NEW YORK MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION DOWN 29 PERCENT New York maple syrup 2010 production decreased 29 percent from last year. Syrup production is estimated at 312,000 gallons, down from the 439,000 gallons produced in 2009 according to Stephen Ropel, Director of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field Office. Only Vermont produced more syrup than New York. The number of taps, 1.90 million, increased 4 percent from last year. Syrup produced per tap averaged 0.164 gallons, down from 0.240 gallons in 2009. The final value of the 2009 crop is $17.8 million, 28 percent above the previous year’s value of production. The average price was $40.60 per gallon equivalent for all sales. The overwhelming majority of maple producers reported a poor season, although there was some variability by region. In general, temperatures started out too cold for sap flow and quickly turned too warm. The lack of below-freezing nights and above-freezing days resulted in a very short season. Producers tapping early took advantage of a few earlier than normal runs. Also, producers using a vacuum system fared better than those on gravity tubing or buckets. Sugar content across the State this year was low. Medium syrup accounted for 45 percent of production, with 39 percent dark and 16 percent light. The 2010 United States maple syrup production totaled 1.96 million gallons, down 19 percent from the revised 2009 total. The number of taps is estimated at 9.27 million, 3 percent above the 2009 revised total of 8.98 million. Yield per tap is estimated to be 0.211 gallons, down 21 percent from the previous season’s revised yield. Vermont led all States in production with 890,000 gallons, a decrease of 3 percent from 2009. Production in Maine, at 310,000 gallons, decreased 22 percent from last season. This year, New York conducted a State sponsored Maple Census. With the support and assistance of the maple industry, the New York Field Office undertook an extensive list building process in the fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010. The Maple Census also allowed for extra efforts during data collection. This led to a significant increase in producers and taps from previous years, and therefore revised estimates for the 2009 crop. # 6-10-10