Warm weather has brought an early Spring and seriously reduced the maple syrup production season. Local producer Bob Gray of Kemble Mountain Maple Products has experienced a significant reduction in his harvest this year, down to about 250-litres, just 28% of normal levels. Gray taps 1100 trees on his property just north of Kemble.

“We’re down to about 28-percent of a normal year. We target about 1-litre of syrup per tap but this year it is about .3 litres. The season is about 2-3 weeks shorter.”

Gray attributes the decrease to record high temperatures and unusually dry conditions. Temperatures that range between +6 in the daytime and -3 at nights are ideal for encouraging sap to run. Snow melted quickly this year and ran off before it could be absorbed contributing to dry soil conditions.

According to Gray, producers using vacuum systems which extract sap from the trees have done somewhat better. His operation uses gravity-fed lines, which requires more ideal temperatures.

Nick Bereznick, representative for the Grey Bruce Maple Syrup Association reported that production rates in the region were only 30% to 60% of normal production levels. This year’s yield was considerably lower than last year’s near record level.

Maple syrup prices are driven by supply and demand, largely determined by the bulk syrup price. Quebec produces approximately 75% of Canada’s maple syrup and did not see the same decrease in Ontario so prices may only be moderately higher this year.