February 16, 2009 Maple syrup prices rise $7 a gallon

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Maple syrup prices are up $7 a gallon in Vermont - the country's largest producer of maple syrup - but the price spike doesn't necessarily mean higher profits for producers.

Poor maple syrup production in Quebec last season due to weather caused a greater demand for Vermont's syrup.

Catherine Stevens, of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association, say syrup now sells for about $50 a gallon, up from about $43 in 2008.

She says high fuel prices last winter and spring and increased costs of fuel and equipment also contributed to the higher prices.

Jacques Couture, president of the Vermont Maple Foundation, says the increased profits are good news but are often offset by increased prices for fuel and equipment or if a producer has a poor season. Information from: The Burlington Free Press, www.burlingtonfreepress.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)