2015 Bulk Maple Syrup Prices

[OrangeAgain]

Have the 2015 bulk Maple syrup prices been published? If yes, what / where are they?

Who publishes them?

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

They will be established by the big buyers after the season when they know how big the crop is. My guess is that prices will slip some as our dollar has strengthened against the Canadian dollar.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

With as fast as producers are expanding, I would expect prices to continue to slip if production is normal or above normal the next few years.

[OrangeAgain]

They will be established by the big buyers after the season when they know how big the crop is. My guess is that prices will slip some as our dollar has strengthened against the Canadian dollar.

For those sugar makers who sell bulk syrup, at what price would they sell 2015 production if the bulk price isn't set until after the season?

[spud]

I think $3.25Lb is fair. Has anyone else noticed that the price of syrup sold in stores (by the big packers) continues to go up but the price of bulk syrup goes down. The price of sugaring supplies continues to go up but the price of bulk syrup is going down. If a new packer opened up shop tomorrow and bought bulk syrup for $4.00Lb all the other packer would do the same. There are several very large producers in northern Vermont that are looking to not sell to any packers. They are currently seeking their own market. Some of this market is overseas but alot is here in the USA.

Spud

[GeneralStark]

I think $3.25Lb is fair. Has anyone else noticed that the price of syrup sold in stores (by the big packers) continues to go up but the price of bulk syrup goes down. The price of sugaring supplies continues to go up but the price of bulk syrup is going down. If a new packer opened up shop tomorrow and bought bulk syrup for $4.00Lb all the other packer would do the same. There are several very large producers in northern Vermont that are looking to not sell to any packers. They are currently seeking their own market. Some of this market is overseas but alot is here in the USA.

Spud

This is likely to go down a different path than the OP intended, so perhaps Finally Green could let us know exactly what he is getting at with the question. If you want to know the bulk price of syrup for 2015 it would probably be safe to plan for a little lower than 2014. Not saying it will go that way but if you are trying to do some financial predictions, that is probably a safe way to go.

Here is the thread for 2014 prices for what some packers have been paying: http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...rice-per-Pound

With the bulk price being set by Quebec, of course smart producers are going to look for their own markets when they see the retail price of syrup. But, the price at the store is not indicative of what a packer is charging for their wholesale product.

[OrangeAgain]

This is likely to go down a different path than the OP intended, so perhaps FinallyGreen could let us know exactly what he is getting at with the question.

I am thinking I want to lease our taps at some price per tap which is tied to the bulk price of syrup so that each year the tap price will get adjusted depending upon the bulk price of syrup. This way, the tap lessee pays something less if the price of bulk syrup goes down and I get a bit more when the price goes up.

[unc23win]

I am thinking I want to lease our taps at some price per tap which is tied to the bulk price of syrup so that each year the tap price will get adjusted depending upon the bulk price of syrup. This way, the tap lessee pays something less if the price of bulk syrup goes down and I get a bit more when the price goes up.

That's an interesting idea. Does your lessee tell you how much sap they get? How much syrup they get and what grade it is? I'm not trying to be a jerk, but if I were leasing I wouldn't especially in the first few years if I bought the supplies. One of the draws to leasing is knowing the cost upfront and paying upfront per tap and the land lord gets paid upfront as well. Now if you have all the lines run then I guess the lease price changes, but I wouldn't want to pay you more based on syrup prices at the end of the season. Just my opinion.

[GeneralStark]

I am thinking I want to lease our taps at some price per tap which is tied to the bulk price of syrup so that each year the tap price will get adjusted depending upon the bulk price of syrup. This way, the tap lessee pays something less if the price of bulk syrup goes down and I get a bit more when the price goes up.

Not sure if you have seen these resources, but this could be a good place to start:

http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/SapBuyi...dYouBuySap.pdf

It is more applicable to sap buyers probably but he also discusses setting prices based on bulk syrup pricing.

[DaveB]

With the bulk price being set by Quebec, of course smart producers are going to look for their own markets when they see the retail price of syrup. But, the price at the store is not indicative of what a packer is charging for their wholesale product.

I've actually been surprised at some of the wholesale products and how expensive they are. There really is a markup at most stores.

That being said, just because you CAN get higher price doesn't mean that you SHOULD. I hear from people all the time that they love real maple syrup but can't afford it. It doesn't help that some touristy places sell for over $100 a gallon. I'm of the mindset that I like to keep my prices reasonable so that more consumers can afford it and I still make a fair profit. What I lose on the price I gain on volume.