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Maple Syrup Production in New York Hits 70-Year High
06/23/15 07:55pm

    Press Release From Governor Cuomo:

    State Retains Its Standing as Nation's #2 Producer of Maple Syrup

    Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that maple syrup production in
    New York reached its highest level in 70 years, allowing the state to retain its
    standing as the second highest producer of fresh maple syrup in America. New
    York’s maple farmers persevered through a challenging winter to produce a
    modern record of more than 601,000 gallons of syrup from more than 2.3 million
    taps across the state during the 2015 season.

    “Once again, New York’s maple syrup industry is thriving and breaking records in
    spite of tough conditions,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our state is an agricultural
    leader, with some of the most dedicated entrepreneurs and finest products
    around, and I encourage New Yorkers and visitors alike to discover this fantastic
    Empire State product for themselves.”

    According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the amount of
    maple syrup produced in New York was up 10.1 percent from 2014 and 4.7
    percent from the previous modern production record in 2013. New York State
    comfortably retained its distinction as the nation’s second-ranking producer of
    maple syrup, with an increased lead over third-ranked Maine by nearly 50,000
    gallons. Vermont, at 1.39 million gallons of syrup, is the nation’s top producing
    state.

    The amount produced is the most since 1944, the last year before the beginning
    of a long drop-off in the number of tree taps and the yield of syrup per tap. New
    York’s resurgence began in 2008 as vacuum pumping systems began to replace
    the metal tree taps and hanging buckets that have signified maple syrup farming
    for centuries.

    The New York State Maple Producers Association estimates that 60 percent of
    maple farms, including most of the larger farms of more than 500 taps, use
    vacuum systems to collect raw sap. The modern vacuum system is easier for
    producers to maintain, which has helped increase production per tap. The
    average tree tap produced a little more than one quart of syrup this year, though
    some large farms are seeing yields of a half-gallon or more.

    New York’s strong showing came despite a brutal last half of winter, which saw
    long stretches of bitter cold and heavy snows. Sap only begins to flow inside of
    trees when temperatures rise above freezing. As a result of the harsh weather,
    USDA estimates that the average maple syrup collecting season in 2015 was just
    26 days. By comparison, the season was 40 days long on average during the
    previous modern record year in 2013.

    “Our maple producers deserve hearty congratulations for the way they
    persevered through a difficult winter to turn out a volume of syrup we haven’t
    seen in generations,” said Richard A. Ball, New York State Commissioner of
    Agriculture. “I attended events during Maple Weekend this year and can tell you
    from first-hand observation that the maple syrup industry is vital and growing. We
    are working hard to provide them the support they need to continue this growth.”

    “The maple season started later and producers got a workout when they trudged
    through heavy snows to tap their trees,” said Helen Thomas, Executive Director
    of the New York State Maple Producers Association. “We are pleasantly
    surprised and very pleased to have had a short season turn into record
    production. We’re now approaching production levels from the beginning of the
    20th century, and this is good news for producers and everyone who loves real
    maple syrup. Go and get some!”

    New York State is helping to spread the word about the quality of New York
    maple products. Maple syrups and creams can be found at Taste NY stores
    along the Thruway and at the Taste NY Market at Todd Hill. Maple products are
    also featured at Taste NY sampling events across the state, and at the Maple
    Producers’ popular booth in the Horticulture Building at the Great New York
    State Fair, where maple popcorn, ice cream, and cotton candy are among the
    taste treats available.

    More information about maple in New York State can be found at:
    www.nysmaple.com.