Maple syrup production in New England, long influenced by the unpredictable weather of spring, now faces additional uncertainty due to President Donald Trump’s fluctuating tariff policies, which are threatening the livelihood of an industry deeply reliant on international trade.
For Jim Judd, a fourth-generation maple syrup producer at Judd’s Wayeeses Farms in Morgan, Vermont, the changing tariffs are adding another layer of unpredictability to an already volatile business. “Any kind of disruption with our cross-border enterprise, we feel it,” Judd explained. “It’s uncertain enough making maple syrup.”
Judd, who has been producing Vermont’s signature sweetener since the 1970s, emphasized that maple syrup production involves multiple countries in the supply chain. The stainless steel fixtures used to connect sap lines and boil the liquid into syrup often come from China, while packaging materials are frequently sourced from Italy. However, the most significant trade relationship is with Canada, which produces roughly 80% of the world’s maple syrup and exports nearly two-thirds of it to the U.S.
The current trade climate, marked by Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies, has created anxiety for U.S. producers in Vermont, New York, Maine, and Wisconsin. Earlier this month, Trump temporarily suspended the harshest tariffs on most nations for 90 days, while significantly increasing the duties on Chinese imports to 145%. Meanwhile, ongoing negotiations with Canada and Mexico regarding tariffs on their goods have left many producers uncertain about the future.
Allison Hope, executive director of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers’ Association, noted that the latest developments suggest that finished maple products are not yet subject to tariffs. However, the situation remains complicated due to the reliance on foreign-sourced materials and equipment. “It’s like the weather in New England. You wait five minutes and it might change,” Hope said. “Now it matters how Canada makes its equipment and gets its materials. It’s hard for businesses to run on a growth mentality when there’s no sense of what the industry is going to look like in a year.”
This uncertainty comes at a time when U.S. syrup producers, including those in Vermont, have seen significant growth. Over the past two decades, syrup production in Vermont has increased by nearly 500%, driven by larger production facilities, new businesses, and growing consumer demand for local, natural alternatives to refined sugars.
However, disrupting trade with Canada, the heart of the global maple syrup industry, could have devastating consequences. Judd, who has spent decades purchasing equipment from Canada, worries that increased import taxes will sharply raise costs. Given that syrup is a luxury product, he believes price hikes may not be feasible.
“We can’t do this without Canadian help. We can’t buy what we need at another outlet because it’s all in Canada,” Judd said. “We’ve been crossing this border all my life. The recent changes we see being imposed on the people here — we’re not sure that they’re all necessary.”
As the maple syrup industry faces this growing uncertainty, producers like Judd are left grappling with the unpredictability of both the weather and international trade policies.
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