New York maple-syrup production increases nearly 18 percent

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York state’s maple-syrup production increased by almost 18 percent this year to 707,000 gallons, breaking last year’s 70-year production record of 601,000 gallons, according to a recent report from the USDA and a news release from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office.

 New York maintained its standing as the second leading producer of maple syrup in the U.S., behind only Vermont, which produced 1.99 million gallons in 2016, up 41 percent from last year.

Warmer-than-normal temperatures in New York and across the Northeast allowed for an extended season, which helped boost production.

The season in the Northeast region averaged 35 days, 10 days longer than in 2015, according to the USDA.

“I enjoyed visiting many of our maple producers during Maple Weekends this year, and am pleased to see that the early start of the season and warm weather led to fantastic results for them this year,” New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said in the governor’s release.

New York’s maple-syrup production made up about 17 percent of the national total. The number of maple taps in production in the state surpassed 2.5 million taps in 2016, the highest number of taps since 1947, according to the release.

Cuomo’s Taste NY program partners with many New York state maple producers to offer their products at Taste NY stores and cafés throughout the state.

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