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Contact: NHMPA, 402 Route 103 East, Warner, NH 03278     (603)225-3757    

May 2, 2008–––This year’s maple season has ended in New Hampshire and a recent telephone survey revealed a mixed harvest. Producers in the southern half of the state enjoyed an average to outstanding crop with excellent flavor. The overall sugar content in the sap was high and many producers made a good amount of light amber syrup.

In the southwestern portion of the state, particularly Cheshire and Sullivan Counties, most producers harvested a bumper crop. One long-time farmer who keeps meticulous records, stated it was their best season in 75 years.

Producers in the northern half of the state, above Plymouth, were much less enthusiastic about their harvest. Some disappointingly acknowledged it was the worst season they could remember, and the most costly. With several feet of snow and ice on the ground, they had to hire extra help to dig out the tap lines, then temperatures often were not conducive to good sap runs with some days being much too warm. Although those up North did not produce nearly as much syrup as they would like, they all agreed the flavor was excellent.

Because the cost of producing maple syrup has increased, New Hampshire’s sugar makers have been forced to raise their prices slightly to compensate.

The large Canadian reserves of syrup have been exhausted and world-wide demand for this North American product has increased dramatically over recent years. Maple lovers may not find as much pure maple syrup on grocery store shelves, but sugar houses around the state should have enough syrup to supply the needs of the state’s residents and tourists.