ABOUT US

The New York State Maple Producers Association is comprised of almost 550 of the finest syrup makers in the United States. Our purpose is to increase the production of New York State maple syrup and enhance its sale across the nation. Ten years ago Wyoming County maple producers began a program to expose their maple syrup to people across the country, calling it Maple Sunday. Their goal was to open maple production facilities to the public and showcase the making of maple products from the tree to the table. Demonstrations showed the tapping of trees, the collection of sap and the boiling of sap into syrup. Producers also provided a variety of product sampling and sales to the public.

The event grew quickly and in size and stature becoming a smashing success that has spread statewide. It is now called Maple Weekend and it has helped increase public perception of New York State maple syrup, which has won numerous awards as the best in the United States.  In fact, New York State Maple Producers often sell bulk syrup to packers in neighboring Vermont, who have then put their label on it.

New York State – Fourth Leading Producer of Maple Syrup Worldwide

In 2004, New York State maple producers made more than 255,000 gallons of syrup, an increase of 21% from the year before according to the New York Agricultural Statistics Service. New York makes 17% of all the syrup made in the United States.

This is a very impressive amount despite an unusual winter. The maple season ran from March 4 until April 3. Most producers ended with an average crop. Tapping and running tubing was very difficult. Producers were unable to tap as many trees as they had planned due to heavy snow cover. Weather conditions were not the best for sap flow. Cold weather early in the season with the lack of warm days limited sap flow throughout most of the State. Later, the weather was good for a short time before becoming extremely warm, therefore limiting sap flow. After the warm spell, conditions returned to near normal and producers enjoyed a period of good sap flow. Some producers in the higher elevations reported temperatures that were at least four to five degrees cooler than lower elevations. With blasting winds, the trees remained frozen in Northern New York State while sugar makers at low elevations were achieving sap flow. Even though temperature fluctuations during the season were not consistent, the syrup quality of this year's crop was very good.

The number of taps in the state, 1.35 million, increased about 1% from last year. Syrup produced per tap averaged 0.19 gallons, up from 0.157 gallons in 2003. The final value of the 2003 crop was estimated at $6.84 million. The crop value for 2004 will be released in June of 2005.

Sap was slightly below average for sweetness, requiring an average of 42 gallons to make one gallon of syrup. Syrup color was: dark – 19%, medium – 54% and light – 27%.

Despite its consistently high quality, the average cost of New York State maple syrup is about 20% below the national average, which proves you can have the best and afford it too!

Thanks to Best Folding Tables and Chairs for donating folding tables and folding chairs for this years event, and to Neon Sign Express for the custom maple leaf neon signs.

	For the list of participating producers click on the LOCATIONS button.
See and smell the sap being boiled into maple syrup