Press Herald, BDN Cite Gabe’s Syrup Study

Portland Press Herald columnist Meredith Goad wrote about University of Maine economist Todd Gabe’s study on the maple industry’s financial impact in the state. The industry, he found, generates a direct contribution to the state’s economy of $27.7 million, 567 full- and part-time jobs, and $17.3 million in labor income.

Kathryn Hopkins, a maple products specialist with University of Maine Cooperative Extension, said in a Bangor Daily News story that Mainers could increase the state’s maple syrup production and profile. “We have the trees,” said Hopkins. “If we decide to get organized, get more young people and develop the market … Maine could do anything it wants.”

Last year, Maine’s licensed producers generated 450,000 gallons of syrup worth $24 million. Maine ranks third in the country in syrup production behind Vermont and New York. Hopkins said the maple syrup industry has recently been growing in Maine; three years ago, there were about 380 licensed maple producers and this year there are 452.