2021 Bulk Pricing

[GeneralStark]

Good news from our sponsor for bulk producers...

https://www.themaplenews.com/story/season-update-8-bulk-buy-prices-jump-this-week;-northern-vt-crop-way-down/359/?fbclid=IwAR3WtKKn31idAgDbJPclmC38O0ceO2RZKylhu6hH 6QYM_5FK02c0NtEQ8RU

[motowbrowne]

Good news from our sponsor for bulk producers...

https://www.themaplenews.com/story/season-update-8-bulk-buy-prices-jump-this-week;-northern-vt-crop-way-down/359/?fbclid=IwAR3WtKKn31idAgDbJPclmC38O0ceO2RZKylhu6hH 6QYM_5FK02c0NtEQ8RU

Interesting to see the big price difference between Wisconsin and out east.

[maple flats]

Hang on you westerners, your price will climb if you wait it out. While you may not get the full increase, it will likely go higher, but only for those who wait, and only if enough hold back until it climbs. I know, some of you are thinking you can't afford to wait, I think you can't afford not to wait.

This all being said, I'm glad I bought my bulk needs before the prices jumped. I did however pay 10 cents higher per pound than what prices were when I bought.

[Tmeeeh]

I'm wondering how soon the bulk price increases will translate to the wholesale and retail prices. Wholesale being sales in retail size containers to grocery stores and retail being the price the consumer pays. We mostly sell wholesale to grocery stores.

[maple flats]

I would think it will come fairly soon, (I've already raised my retails, in fact I did it 2 weeks ago) I may need to adjust even more soon.

[fred]

Interesting to see the big price difference between Wisconsin and out east.

it only costs 10-11 cents a pound to get it east. if those 2 buyers in Wisconsin dont pony up everyone should ship it east. 20 cents more times 75 drums adds up quick.

[n8hutch]

How many people lowered their retail price when the bulk price was down??? I don't think that the bulk price going up 10-20% should effect the retail price. The price on syrup is high already. It would have to go up an awful lot for me to raise my retail price. At some point people are going to turn to alternatives if the price goes to high. You can't make the gravy when the bulk price is low , and when its high. Only the Government is allowed to win on both ends.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

I’m with Nate, we ride the highs and lows selling only retail. We’ll need to buy some this year and the price will be higher. That means a little less money for us but we’re still making money. When I first heard about possibility of a jug shortage we stocked up for the next 2 years. Glad we did that.

[maple flats]

I bought 3x what I usually get in cases of jugs, will not last 2 yrs though, need more storage room.

[maple flats]

I raised my prices just over 2 weeks ago and sales so far show no decline.

[One tap short]

it only costs 10-11 cents a pound to get it east. if those 2 buyers in Wisconsin dont pony up everyone should ship it east. 20 cents more times 75 drums adds up quick.

One of the two major buyers in WI knows the price is going to go up a sizable amount. The other is too arrogant to admit it. There's a reason a large buyer from OHIO is in WI trying to round up barrels of syrup.

There will be a lot of syrup headed east if the price doesn't match or come close to the price set in Vermont. You're telling me the price in stores went down when the measly 1.95 a pound was paid by one of the buyers in WI? AHHH no, the pockets just received more lining. They are banking on most producers not being able to hold out long enough. They'll pay more one way or another. You either pay the local producers or you pay to ship it in from Canada or out east. At this point I hope trucks start heading east about mid November so they have to send it right back and pay a premium to bring it back to the state. Its about time the tables turn.

Do the math on this. Bulk price last year in WI was roughly 22 dollars a gallon. In a Nebraska store the price of a quart from that bulk buyer was 20.99 in December of 2020. Who is really making the money? Yet every year we hear on cheesy youtube video how this is all we can pay because of the amount of syrup around blah blah blah. Oh yeah, and you wont be getting your steel drums back. They're only one time use, don't you know that?

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Sounds like a good time to hold your syrup for anyone that can afford to regardless of where you live.

[Louie]

A Wisconsin buyer told me most people live hand to mouth and they have to accept what I am offering. He said he was going to gain market share because he can buy syrup cheaper over here. They wait until the Bascom price comes out and then offer 10 cents less. The year of the big shortage they were offering $2.35 when Maple Grove was paying $4.00 and gave you an additional .10 to help with shipping.

[One tap short]

Unfortunately that is true for people anywhere and not just WI. The only ones rushing to sell at 2.10 are the producers in over their heads or have made bad business deals to secure land or equipment. The producers who can afford to hold it can and will do so. I am willing to hold it along with many others in the area until the sap starts running in 2022. Syrup is a bonus income not my day to day job.

Who is the go-to company out east that will but our syrup if that is what it comes to? At this point I have tallied around 500 barrels (300,000 ish pounds) that are sitting in my area. Does anyone know how they work their barrel return and exchange? I do not have any stainless barrels but I know of a few producers that do and will want to know how the return process works.

[ecp]

Bascoms and Butternut are the large buyers. I don't know if maple grove is buying from many produces now or not, but they used to.

[Mark]

Unfortunately that is true for people anywhere and not just WI. The only ones rushing to sell at 2.10 are the producers in over their heads or have made bad business deals to secure land or equipment. The producers who can afford to hold it can and will do so. I am willing to hold it along with many others in the area until the sap starts running in 2022. Syrup is a bonus income not my day to day job.

Who is the go-to company out east that will but our syrup if that is what it comes to? At this point I have tallied around 500 barrels (300,000 ish pounds) that are sitting in my area. Does anyone know how they work their barrel return and exchange? I do not have any stainless barrels but I know of a few producers that do and will want to know how the return process works.

Steel usually does not come back. I do both stainless and steel. I send the steel out not expecting to get it back. The stainless costs me to get it back but not as much since it is light when empty and can be stacked. I will probably send 3 semi loads to the east this summer or fall.

[One tap short]

Steel usually does not come back. I do both stainless and steel. I send the steel out not expecting to get it back. The stainless costs me to get it back but not as much since it is light when empty and can be stacked. I will probably send 3 semi loads to the east this summer or fall.

What does it normally cost per semi load? Can you fit 70 on a load?

[Mark]

Bascoms and Butternut are the large buyers. I don't know if maple grove is buying from many produces now or not, but they used to.

Maple Grove might be buying from Canada. I got a tour once from the guy running the place but that was a while ago. I think his last name was King. They were going through 4000 gallons of syrup a day. When you get a tanker load from Canada there are no barrels to deal with, you just have to hook up a hose.

[Mark]

What does it normally cost per semi load? Can you fit 70 on a load?

It has been a while so I am not sure of the price now. Call Larry from L&S from Wausau, he will get it there.

[doocat]

L&S picked up from my place and hauled syrup back to Wisconsin a few years back. Seem like good people.

[ecp]

I know it is early and nothing is set, but has anyone heard what the bulk prices for 2022 are looking like? Non of the buyers will say anything (and they will all drop the price when it comes time), but just checking the water temperature so to speak right now.

[DrTimPerkins]

Depends upon the season. My guess is they'll set a modest base price somewhere near what it was last year, but could raise it if the season looks like it is going poorly in Vermont and especially in Quebec. Unlikely that they'd set a price and then try to lower it. Wouldn't hold my breath on it though...they're going to play it close to the vest until they get some sense of how the season is going.

[fred]

In Ohio I've set my price at 2.80 for the top 2, 2.50/dark 2.00/v dark. If there is a shortage again it will go up. I base prices off my business though not the national market.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

I paid $2.80 last time I bought syrup back in December. Rumors are it won't go down and should stay level with an average season. But as Dr. Tim and fred have noted, a bad season will surely make it go up.

[collinsmapleman2012]

bascom's the other day was 2.60 for GD, 2.50 for AR, 2.40 for DR, and 2.00 for VD. we will certainly see what happens through the season.

[TheNamelessPoet]

bascom's the other day was 2.60 for GD, 2.50 for AR, 2.40 for DR, and 2.00 for VD. we will certainly see what happens through the season.
Sorry for the Noobish question but what are GD,AR,DR,VD?

DR Dark Robust?
VD Very Dark?

Or am I way off?

[DrTimPerkins]

Sorry for the Noobish question but what are GD,AR,DR,VD?

The classes of Grade A syrup are:

Golden delicate
Amber rich
Dark robust
Very dark strong

https://vermontmaple.org/maple-syrup-grades

[TheNamelessPoet]

The classes of Grade A syrup are:

Golden delicate
Amber rich
Dark robust
Very dark strong

https://vermontmaple.org/maple-syrup-grades

Oh duh lol. Thanks Doc!