1 00:00:01,420 --> 00:00:02,253 - [Mark] This is Mark Isselhardt, 2 00:00:02,253 --> 00:00:05,160 maple specialist with the University of Vermont Extension, 3 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:07,920 and this is another Vermont Maple Minute. 4 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:12,470 According to the 2019 USDA NASS Maple Syrup Report, 5 00:00:12,470 --> 00:00:14,760 approximately 90% of Vermont's total 6 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:16,670 annual maple syrup production, 7 00:00:16,670 --> 00:00:18,980 or about 1.8 million gallons, 8 00:00:18,980 --> 00:00:21,410 was sold into the bulk market. 9 00:00:21,410 --> 00:00:22,560 The remainder of the crop 10 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:26,210 was sold either to retail or wholesale customers. 11 00:00:26,210 --> 00:00:28,090 This represents a significant change 12 00:00:28,090 --> 00:00:30,520 over less than 20 years. 13 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,460 In 2002, the Vermont crop was estimated 14 00:00:33,460 --> 00:00:36,520 to be less than 500,000 gallons of syrup. 15 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:40,023 Approximately 60% of that crop was marketed as bulk. 16 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:44,100 The increase in bulk syrup sales can be tied in large part 17 00:00:44,100 --> 00:00:47,110 to the recent expansion of maple production statewide, 18 00:00:47,110 --> 00:00:49,943 and the types of operations fueling that expansion. 19 00:00:50,810 --> 00:00:52,550 The majority of additional production 20 00:00:52,550 --> 00:00:56,120 came from increased taps in existing and new operations 21 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:58,433 with tap counts of 10,000 or more. 22 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:03,870 Over the same time period of 2002 to 2019, 23 00:01:03,870 --> 00:01:05,760 there was a nearly 10% increase 24 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:07,543 in the number of these operations. 25 00:01:08,550 --> 00:01:10,060 The business of making maple 26 00:01:10,060 --> 00:01:12,360 draws entrepreneurs of all kinds. 27 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:13,980 Some produce syrup as a hobby 28 00:01:13,980 --> 00:01:15,920 to share with friends and family. 29 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:18,780 Others will count on their annual production 30 00:01:18,780 --> 00:01:21,100 for an important part of their annual income. 31 00:01:21,100 --> 00:01:25,470 And for others, maple represents their entire annual income. 32 00:01:25,470 --> 00:01:26,990 Whatever the scale of production, 33 00:01:26,990 --> 00:01:29,880 the quality of syrup sold directly to the consumer 34 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:33,563 must meet the high standard set forth by Vermont maple laws. 35 00:01:34,490 --> 00:01:35,630 This is Mark Isselhardt, 36 00:01:35,630 --> 00:01:38,470 maple specialist with the University of Vermont Extension, 37 00:01:38,470 --> 00:01:40,963 and this has been another Vermont Maple Minute.