Following Kick-Off Of Maple Tapping Season, Schumer Announces Push For Fed Funds To Support And Enhance The Growth Of The Untapped Potential Of NYS Maple Syrup Industry

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged federal appropriators to provide $5 million in federal funding to enhance the growth of the maple syrup industry across New York State and the nation. Schumer said this dedicated federal funding stream would provide key funding for the Acer Access Development Program, which supports research and development within the industry. Specifically, the Acer program would provide the opportunity for further investment and research in this important crop so that producers throughout New York and across the U.S. can increase production, strengthen conservation, and help drive efficiency in maple sugaring. Maple sugaring provides income to an estimated 10,000 maple producers spread across the country, and Schumer said this funding would allow U.S. producers like those across New York State to better compete in the global marketplace.

"By tapping into New York's maple industry and allowing it to expand, the potential to grow our state's economy and provide income to hardworking Upstaters is truly astounding. One way we can further ensure New York producers continue to grow is to open up a federal funding stream for them and producers around the country," said Schumer. "That is why I am urging federal appropriators to provide $5 million in funds that would be used exclusively on research to increase production, strengthen conservation, and help drive efficiency for the maple industry. We need to use every tool at our disposal to support maple production and the economic benefit it brings New York State."

Maple syrup is an important agricultural product across 10 states in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. According to the USDA, in 2013, the United States produced more than 3.2 million gallons of syrup, worth approximately $75-$100 million. Maple is also a critical conservation crop, which helps to keep our forests in production, conserves important lands, protects water quality, and provides a valuable economic benefit to rural communities. The maple industry has seen significant growth in recent years. New York State ranks second in the nation for maple production, behind Vermont, with 564,000 gallons produced, valued at $12.3 million. Schumer said that this $5 million in federal funding through the Acer program could greatly help New York State's efforts to strengthen maple production through investment in research, sustainability and increased production.

Across New York State, there are over 280 million maple trees with syrup-tapping potential, with local upstate farmers relying on it as a lucrative pocket in the agriculture industry. If provided the $5 million in appropriated funds, the Acer Access and Development Program will greatly help these efforts by allowing for further investment in research, sustainability and increased production to allow U.S. producers, including those across New York. U.S. production has nearly doubled in the last decade, thanks to recent innovations in vacuum tubing, sanitation practices, and better taps, and this funding could better help New Yorkers compete in the global marketplace for maple syrup.

Maple production in the US peaked in the 1800s, steadily declined throughout the 20th century, and is experiencing a rebirth in the 21st century. Maple syrup is a luxury item that is now consumed throughout the world, yet the greatest market for syrup is still the United States. The U.S. currently imports almost four times as much syrup as it produces, and Schumer said that there is a tremendous opportunity for American producers to expand production and fill domestic markets with local syrup by utilizing this research and development funding.

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