ALSTEAD, N.H.—The nation’s biggest out-of-field bulk syrup buyer is suspending operations for April due to COVID-19 concerns.

Bascom Maple Farms, the New Hampshire farm where sugarmakers flock from across the Northeast to get paid on the barrelhead, said it would immediately cease buying any syrup until early May at its facility. 

“Unfortunately, due to world events beyond our control, effective immediately Bascom’s will not be purchasing any maple syrup for the rest of April,” the company announced Monday.

The company, which also deploys buying agents across the Maple Belt from Ohio to Maine, had already suspended field buying until early May as well.

“We anticipate reopening for purchasing syrup around May 4, 2020, but please call ahead to confirm,” the company said. “Recommendations from the CDC, WHO, and State Governments are changing constantly and could affect a reopen date.”

Sugarmakers with trucks loaded with barrels were lined up across Bascom’s extensive lot over the past week, dumping their syrup and getting paid as a wave of uncertainty sweeps the maple market. 

A new procedure called for sugarmakers to stay in their trucks and wait for personnel to come to their windows with checks.

The warehouse capacity at the farm was reportedly bursting at the seams, with syrup coming into the facility far earlier in the year than typical, company personnel said.

Bascom’s had been paying $2.00 per pound for most table grades and premiums for organic.

“This was not an easy decision to come to. Management has spent many hours discussing different scenarios. We decided that since Bascoms’ serves producers from all over the maple belt, the only way to keep everyone safe is to suspend syrup purchases completely for the time being,” the company said. 

The company said the equipment dealership portion of the facility will remain open, with curbside service.