I read the story in the Maple News and found it to be very interesting. Here's a guy that owns 800 acres of prime sugaring land in New York. A neighbor of his suggested one day that he should tap his maple trees because there is money to be made. So the owner of the land did just that and invested a bunch of his money in building a show place sugarhouse and set up 40,000 taps. The owner then went out and found a market in New York City for all his syrup. Not only did he find a market but he only bottles his syrup in small glass and is selling a 12 ounce bottle of light amber for $19.95 At this price he is getting $191.00 per gallon for his syrup. The owner is now seeing that much money can be made in sugaring so he plans to expand his operation. He also is encouraging neighbors of his to tap their trees also.Originally Posted by adk1
There are some here on Trader that have a problem with this man for capturing the maple market in part of New York City and making a lot of money doing it. Although this market was wide open for anyone to take some are angry that he got it and they did not. So here is the way I see it. This guy could be helping us all by getting higher prices for his syrup. He may help to bring the price of syrup up for all of us. If he can go to every city in America and get the same prices then this is what will happen. It's safe to say he will need to buy a lot of bulk syrup from producers in New York and other states. He cannot do this alone and he will need many producers to fill his orders. It is also safe to say that if he continues to get $191.00 per gallon he would have to be willing to pay more then $31.50 (bulk rate) for all of our syrup (or it could kill his market). We could see bulk prices go up because of people like him (not down).
It was not long ago right here on Trader there were heated debates on what to charge for syrup. Thad and I both said we were selling syrup for $35.00 a gallon and we were bashed for it. We were told that people like us could bring the market down by doing this. We were told we are selfish for under cutting people that are trying to get $45.00+ per gallon. It was even said that anyone selling syrup for less could not be making any money (even though most syrup produced in the world is sold at bulk price $30.00-$32.50). Others have said selling syrup for less then $40.00 a gallon means the syrup is junk.
There appears to be a big market for maple syrup around the world. The industry seems to be growing. Maple equipment dealers are selling more now then ever before. I look at this as a good thing not bad. So to the people that have a problem with Crown Maple and have a problem with people that undercut I have one question. What do you want? It seems to me it;s **** if you do and **** if you don't. I wish all sugar maker's the best whether they sell for $10.00 or $191.00 a gallon. I love to hear about people that work hard and succeed in what they do. My hat's off to Crown Maple.
Spud
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