- [Mark] This is Mark Isselhardt, maple specialist
with University of Vermont Extension,
and this is another Vermont Maple Minute.
The USDA released the estimates for the
2019 Vermont maple crop recently.
The numbers show that Vermont produced
just over two million gallons of syrup in 2019.
This represents nearly 50%
of all the syrup produced in the U.S.
and just under a 7% increase from last year.
Almost all of this increase is explained
by an increase in taps between the two years.
Vermont also led the nation in terms of syrup yield per tap.
Vermont's sugar makers on average gathered the equivalent
of over a third of a gallon of syrup per tap in 2019.
The high yield per tap is explained by a combination
of ideal weather during the sugaring season,
use of vacuum, and producers' ability
to find and repair leaks when they occur.
Reports of sweeter than average sap
also help explain the strength of this year's totals.
Sugar makers now turn to the business of marketing
their hard-earned crop.