Trends of the maple syrup industry in the United States and implications for sustainable development

This study reviews trends for United States maple syrup production and discusses potential implications for the industry’s sustainable development. It analyzes the industry’s development from 1840 to 2024, examines production variability using available data from 1916 to 2024, and evaluates key factors contributing to growth since 1950. Business-scale evolution was examined using data from 1992 to 2025, and price dynamics, purchasing power, and market growth were assessed using records from 1967 to 2023, with a focus on the post-2000 trends. United States maple production, originally reported as granulated sugar, increased from 42.9 million gallons (syrup equivalent) in 1840 to a peak of 56.2 million gallons in 1860, followed by a dramatic decline as cane and beet sugars became more competitive. Domestic syrup output rebounded from a low of 0.8 million gallons in 1987 to 5.86 million gallons in 2024 as new technologies were adopted and drove the expansion of the national tap count and yield. Production variability, measured by the coefficient of variation, declined from 37.5% in 1915-1924 to 16.9% in 2015-2024, despite episodic weather-related yield losses in several years. The logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) decomposition of the growth trends showed that 67.0% of the growth in United States maple syrup production was due to the expansion of the number of taps, and 33.0% was due to improvements in yield. Price data demonstrates that the national average nominal price rose from $5.33 in 1967 to $32.80 per gallon in 2023, but the inflation adjusted real price received by producers fell from $25.95 to $17.31 per gallon over the same period. Increased investment and technical progress have been key factors in the recent growth of the United States maple syrup production, and continued forest and business management best practices are needed for the sustainable development of the industry. • Tap growth drove 67% of the 13.1 million gallon production increase from 2007- 2024 while yield contributed 33%. • Climate shifts impact sap yield while tree health, soil, and weather drive syrup quality. • Vacuum and tubing systems tripled sap yield, cut labor, and helped to mitigate climate stress. • Market and policy shifts affect long-term supply, but response to short-term prices is slow. • Boosting yield through innovation and better forest management ensures sustainability.