Though maple syrup producers in Nova Scotia are still working to survey the damage from last winter, this year’s season of sweet syrup could start flowing in less than two weeks.
At this point, producers aren’t sure what the season holds, and they haven’t completed repairs from last year, but they’re already feeling optimistic.
“We’re hoping for a bumper year to make up for last year,” said Avard Bentley, owner of Bentley’s Maple.
Sap is expected to start following within ten days.
“Been a mild winter so far, not a lot of frost on the ground, not a lot of snow in the woods so it’s not gonna take much warm weather to start things this spring,” said Josh Williams, who works at Bentley’s Maple.
Bentley’s Maple will only be able to tap two-thirds of their trees this year, but that’s still better than last year.
Devastating 2015 season
Heavy, deep snow last year buried the tubing and piping that connects maple trees and damaged the taps at Bentley’s Maple. The bill for repairs comes in at more than $250,000.
“It just brought everything to a halt here really,” said Williams.
“It was devastating to the maple season last year.”
Officials say the tap for 2015 was one of the worse they’ve ever recorded in the province, and producers say the damage wass beyond words.
“It was a disaster,” said Bentley.
The government recently announced they will help maple syrup producers recoup their losses.
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