ALSTEAD, N.H.—Bascom Maple Farms reopened its loading docks today, allowing sugarmakers to bring their crop for delivery, but by appointment only.

“Due to the unusually large amount of drum traffic yet to come in we are requesting producers call for a dock appointment,” said Bascom’s owner Bruce Bascom.

Field buyers for Bascom will also be deployed this week, and will be looking for syrup.

“We have advanced money to dealers in NY & VT to begin buying immediately,” Bascom said. 

Bascom told The Maple News that he would be paying producers the following:

 Golden ----------------$2.10/lb------------------------------Organic Golden $2.25/lb

Amber--------------------2.00----------------------------------Organic Amber   2.15

Dark-----------------------1.90----------------------------------Organic Dark 2.15

Very Dark-----------------1.80----------------------------------Organic Very Dark 1.95

Processing, off, bud, unfiltered, sour sap flavor -- $1.10

Organic Processing $1.10

Ropey .75 cents

Bascom had closed the doors to the facility in the middle of April due to concerns over the Coronavirus.  The company has taken many precuations to ensure safety for staff and customers, including conducting all transactions in the parking lot instead of inside their buildings.

The facility, which also houses a major equipment dealership, is still holding its annual spring sale on equipment and supplies through the end of the month, but has canceled its annual open house, which would have been held last weekend.

Producers can still put in orders for new equipment at big discounts.

Bascom said that he thinks the crop this year is going to be big, as speculated by many others in the industry.  

“We think the crop is a big crop of similar size as last year,” he said. “Quebec is likely bigger than last year. The color grade is primarily Dark and Amber in that order. Flavor on average has been good.”