ISLAND POND, Vt.—The U.S. maple season of 2022 is shaping up to be a whopper.

A two-week charge of sap at the end of March into early April created what for many is full crop and for some far beyond.

“Altogether the U.S. has a much bigger crop than last year. Perhaps 50 percent larger overall,” said Bruce Bascom of Bascom Maple Farms in Alstead, N.H. and one of the premier bulk syrup buyers in the U.S. 

Bascom said the dominant color grade this season Amber Rich. 

In most of the northern areas of the Maple Belt, producers were enjoying big sap runs.

“As of now sir I can tell you that this year has topped the last close to five or maybe even better,” said Brent Bagwell, a woods manager for the massive SapJack operation in Island Pond, Vt. who is in charge of a 160,000-tap sugarbush there.

“We have reached just over 2 million gallons of sap just this season so far and averaging a sugar content of 3-3.2% sugar,” Bagwell told The Maple News last week.

“I’d say we’re at least 100 percent of a full crop and all of our neighbors are too,” said David Fuller of 25,000-tap Fuller’s Sugar House in Lancaster, N.H. who taps trees at the foot of Mt. Washington.

In the Upper Midwest, sugarmakers were blowing up Facebook group chats with stories of overflowing tanks and swollen sap bags.

“I’ve never had bags that had to be emptied 3 times a day, lol,” said Bob Bucher in Shewano County, Wisc. on April 9.

In Ohio, sugarmakers with vacuum who hung on through mid-March got a payoff at the end.

“Looks like the late season surge rounded out an average to slightly better than average season for Ohio Producers,” said Les Ober, maple specialist for Ohio State University extension. “Once again it all depended when you tapped and the weather in your area of  the state. Highly variable this year.”

In Maine, sugarmaker Bruce Pierce of A&B Maple Syrup in Newry, Maine said this year was bigger than last year, and a longer season.

“We finished up our 2022 season splendidly,” Pierce said.”We tapped on Feb. 21 and wrapped on April 8. “

 With the U.S. coming off of one of the worst maple seasons in a decade last year, the market was desperate for producers to have a big season.  

Maple syrup consumption and retail sales is seeing unprecedented growth, and more syrup is needed to keep up with demand, experts say.

Meanwhle, all of the big equipment manufacters and dealers are gearing up for in-person open houses and showcases next week April 22-23, the first live open houses in three years.

The Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans, Vt. is also returning live next weekend, April 22-24.

https://www.vtmaplefestival.org