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- [Mark] This is Mark
Isselhardt, maple specialist

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with University of Vermont Extension,

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and this is another Vermont Maple Minute.

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The USDA released the estimates for the

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2019 Vermont maple crop recently.

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The numbers show that Vermont produced

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just over two million
gallons of syrup in 2019.

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This represents nearly 50%

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of all the syrup produced in the U.S.

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and just under a 7%
increase from last year.

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Almost all of this increase is explained

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by an increase in taps
between the two years.

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Vermont also led the nation in
terms of syrup yield per tap.

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Vermont's sugar makers on
average gathered the equivalent

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of over a third of a gallon
of syrup per tap in 2019.

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The high yield per tap is
explained by a combination

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of ideal weather during
the sugaring season,

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use of vacuum, and producers' ability

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to find and repair leaks when they occur.

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Reports of sweeter than average sap

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also help explain the strength
of this year's totals.

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Sugar makers now turn to
the business of marketing

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their hard-earned crop.