ONmaplesyrup

Overview

There were 39 responses to the survey in total. About half the respondents have less then 1,000 taps, with the other half having between 1,000 – 10,000 taps. The majority of producers have not begun tapping. Many producers noted the deep snow cover in their bush, making operations difficult. Some producers in the Southwestern and Waterloo-Wellington region are thinking of tapping soon, depending on the weather.

Southwestern (2 – number of respondents)

Producers with 2,000-3,000 taps are looking to begin tapping soon, depending on the weather

Grey-Bruce & District (2)

No taps in yet.

Waterloo-Wellington (2)

No taps in yet, but some producers are thinking about tapping next week, depending on the weather.

Simcoe & District (6)

1 producer with between 1,000 – 2,000 taps has 60% of their taps in.

Algoma (3)

No taps in yet.

Algonquin & District (6)

No taps in yet.

Haliburton-Kawartha (4)

None of the respondents have tapped yet.

Ottawa Valley District (2)

A producer with around 4,000 taps has begun tapping.

Quinte & District (3)

A producer with around 8,000 taps has 75% of their taps in.

Lanark & District (5)

A producer with around 7,000 taps has about 50% of their taps in

Some producers in the 1,000 – 3,000 tap range have begun tapping, while other haven’t

Eastern (3)

All respondents had between 1,000 to 3,000 taps. One producer has 100% of their taps in, while the others haven’t tapped yet. The producer with all their taps in noted they were comfortable tapping early because of measures taken to prevent sap backflow into tapholes.

This past week was cold, so I don’t expect folks to be reporting sap flows, but I’ll send out the survey again to see where folks are with tapping. Based on the short term weather forecast, it looks like the most southern regions of the province may get some daytime temperatures above zero this week. I’ll be curious to see what folks from those regions have to say.

Some notes about the survey:

When filling out the survey, please choose your location according to OMSPA’s local chapters. If you’re not sure which chapter you reside in, please check out the About OMSPA page on their website. About OMSPA | Ontario Maple Syrup.

If you asked me a question in the survey last week, please know I didn’t ignore you. All submissions to the survey are anonymous, so I couldn’t respond to you directly. If you have a question, please send me an email at john.steele@ontario.ca or call me at 519 835 8493.

Here is the link to the survey: “Pre-season” Sap Flow Report – Feb 9, 2026 – Fill out form

Happy tapping,

John

Overview

Sap flow has been sporadic in most regions over the past week as warmer weather moved in and many producers have noted that they are 2-3 weeks ahead of their typical season. There have also been quite a few comments on a significant drop in Brix levels from the previous week, which is not uncommon to occur in warmer weather conditions.

Thank you again for all your responses to the survey! And best of luck in the rest of the season! It’s been great working with all of you 🙂

Southwestern (3 – number of responses)

Producers continue to pull their taps in this region, but a few have continued to make syrup (amber and dark) this past week. The average sap Brix ranged from 1.3-2.0. 90-100% of an average year’s crop has been made by these survey respondents.

Grey-Bruce and District (5)

One of the survey respondents have already pulled their taps while the others are still producing syrup with slow to moderate sap flow. Average sap Brix ranged from 1.4-2.3 and golden to dark syrup has been made. 40-110% of an average year’s crop has been produced by these survey respondents.

Waterloo-Wellington (6)

There are mixed reports from survey respondents in this region. Some have experienced strong sap flow over the past week, others haven’t had any flow, and some have pulled their taps. Average sap Brix ranged from 1.4-2.5 and amber to dark syrup has been made. 50-100% of an average year’s crop has been made.

Simcoe and District (5)

Sap flow has been slow over the past week for these survey respondents. Average sap Brix ranged from 1.6-2.1 and amber to very dark syrup was made. 10-85% of an average year’s crop has been made. Some respondents noted high sugar sand levels while filtering.

Algoma (3)

Good strong sap flow has been reported by these survey respondents with an average sap Brix range of 0.8-2.4. Amber syrup has been produced and 20-66% of an average year’s crop. One producer noted a drop in sugar content over the past week after a big run (1.2 down to 0.6).

Algonquin District (10)

Sap flow ranged from slow to very good over the past week with an average sap Brix of 1.7-3.0. Golden to dark amber syrup has been made and 10-85% of an average year’s crop. A few of these producers noted high amounts of sugar sand over the past week.

Haliburton-Kawartha (9)

Sap flow ranged from slow to good over the past week, although sporadic. Average sap Brix ranged from 1.0-3 and amber to dark syrup has been produced. 15-70% of an average year’s crop has been made.

Ottawa Valley District (5)

Sap flow has been sporadic in this region and ranged from slow to good. Average sap Brix ranged from 2-3 and golden to dark syrup was produced. A few producers have noted some filtration issues. 10-40% of an average year’s crop has been made.  

Quinte and District (2)

Sap flow ranged from poor to excellent for these survey respondents. Average sap Brix levels ranged from 1.3-2, one producer noted a drop of 1.2 Brix from the previous week. Amber to very dark syrup has been produced and 25-75% of an average year’s crop.

Lanark and District (9)

Sap flow, although sporadic, ranged from poor to very good for these survey respondents. The average sap Brix ranged from 1.4-2.7. Amber to dark syrup was produced and 29-63% of an average year’s crop.

Eastern (6)

Similar to the Lanark area, sap flow has been moderate and sporadic. The average sap Brix ranged from 1.9-2.5. Amber and dark syrup was produced and 20-55% of an average year’s crop. A few producers noted some filtration issues this past week as well.

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend.

Please fill out the Sap Flow Survey by noon on Wednesday if you would like to contribute to this week’s report.

You can also text, call or email me at:

sophie.krolikowski@ontario.ca

226-962-6710

Overview

As we enter March, the season continues to be unpredictable and inconsistent with big temperature swings that have impacted sap flow in a number of areas of the province. There have been many reports of snow melting, mud, and/or dry conditions in woodlots. In the south, there have also been signs of budding in soft maple.

In terms of clarity and filtration, there continues to be minimal issues among most survey respondents. Producers in the southwestern region are starting to wrap up for the season while those in the eastern and northern regions starting to ramp up.

On another note, it is with mixed emotions that I share that next week will be my final Sap Flow Report as I move on to new opportunities – however! The report will continue in my absence for the remainder of the season. It’s been wonderful working with and getting to know you all over the season. All the best going forward!

If you have any comments on how the survey or report can be improved upon, please feel free to send me an email at sophie.krolikowski@ontario.ca

Thank you again for all your responses to the survey! It’s been a blast!

Southwestern (5 – number of responses)

Many producers in the region are wrapping up for the season or are finished all together with 80 to over 100% of an average year’s crop produced. Buds are starting to break on soft maple but not yet on hard maple. Amber to very dark syrup has been made in the past week.

Grey-Bruce and District (6)

Sap flow has ranged from moderate to good among producers and the average sap Brix ranged from 2.1-2.6. Golden to amber syrup has been made and 30-100% of an average year’s crop.

Waterloo-Wellington (4)

Sap flow has been strong for these producers. The average sap Brix over the past week was 1.8-2.5. Golden to amber syrup has been made and 20-70% of an average year’s crop.

Simcoe and District (8)

Sap flow ranged from good to excellent for these respondents, although inconsistent in many cases. The average sap Brix ranged from 1.9-2.5. The colours of syrup made ranged from amber to very dark. Some of the respondents in this region have experienced higher than normal sugar sand when filtering. 20-75% of an average year’s crop has been made.

Algoma (1)

The respondent in this area has had steady sap flow with an average Brix of 1.8 and produced amber syrup. Filtering has been a challenge for this producer as well. They have made 45% of an average year’s crop.   

Algonquin District (10)

Sap flow has ranged from very slow to good with an average sap Brix of 2.1-2.7. Producers have made golden to dark syrup with minor sugar sand issues in a few cases. 10-25% of an average year’s crop has been made. A few producers are starting to lose snow in their bush.

Haliburton-Kawartha (12)

Sap flow has ranged from very slow to strong with an average sap Brix of 2.0-2.2. Light to amber syrup has been made. There have been little to no issues with clarity or filtering for these producers as well. 10-60% of an average year’s crop has been made to date.

Ottawa Valley District (6)

Most respondents are tapped but sap flow has been minimal and sporadic. One producer has started to make syrup while the others are waiting for stronger flows.

Quinte and District (7)

Sap flow has been good to excellent for these producers with an average sap Brix of 2.0-3.5. Golden to dark syrup has been made over the past week with some producers experiencing difficulties filtering. 10-80% of an average year’s crop has been made. Some producers have noticed bud swelling on their soft maple.

Lanark and District (11)

Sap flow has ranged from poor to excellent for the survey respondents with an average sap Brix of 1.7-3.5. Light to dark syrup has been produced and up to 30% of an average year’s crop.

Eastern (4)

There has been minimal sap flow over the past week. 2.0-2.3 Brix. Amber to golden syrup has been produced by the few that have produced syrup. 2-20% of an average year’s crop.

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend.

Please fill out the Sap Flow Survey by noon on Wednesday if you would like to contribute to this week’s report.

You can also text, call or email me at:

sophie.krolikowski@ontario.ca

226-962-6710

Overview

Most regions have been back at it over the past week!

Golden to amber syrup is being made and dark to very dark in a few regions as well. Overall, there have been very few clarity or filtration issues. In the southwest, some producers have already made up to 70% of an average year’s crop.

As always, a big thanks to all those that participate in the survey!

Southwestern (2 – number of responses)

Sap flow has picked back up for these respondents with good flow (0.9-0.98 L/tap). Average sap Brix was 2.0-2.1. 60-70% of an average year’s crop has been made to date. Dark syrup is being made.

Grey-Bruce and District (5)

Sap flow has been moderate to very good (0.2-1.0 L/tap). Average sap Brix was 1.9-1.7. One producer has been dealing with high levels of sugar sand but overall, there have been minimal clarity and filtration issues. 10-56% of an average year’s crop has been made to date.

Waterloo-Wellington (4)

Sap flow has been good to strong for survey respondents in the region (up to 0.8 L/tap). Average sap Brix ranged from 1.6-2.4. 15-55% of an average year’s crop has been made to date.

Simcoe and District (7)

Sap flow has ranged from minimal to excellent (0.13-1.5 L/tap). Average sap Brix ranged from 2.0-3.0. 10-60% of an average year’s crop has been made to date. Dark to very dark syrup is being made.

Algoma (2)

One of the survey respondents has had moderate sap flow and started to make syrup.

Algonquin District (7)

Most respondents are tapped, and a few have had moderate runs this week. Average sap Brix was 2.3-2.8. Two producers have made 15 and 60% (smaller producer) of an average year’s crop but the majority have not boiled yet.

Haliburton-Kawartha (5)

All respondents are tapped and have had moderate to excellent sap flow (0.25-4 L/tap). Average sap Brix was 2.1-2.2. Those that have boiled have made light golden to amber syrup. 10-50% of an average year’s crop has been made.

Ottawa Valley District (4)

Only one respondent has tapped and had one day of moderate sap flow. Average sap Brix was 2.2 and they made amber syrup. The remainder of the survey respondents have not yet tapped but plan to soon.

Quinte and District (5)

All respondents are fully tapped and had moderate sap flow on and off over the past week. Average sap Brix ranged from 2-3.3. One producer had a lot of sugar sand, but the majority have not had any filtration or clarity issues. 5-40% of an average year’s crop has been made to date.

Lanark (7)

All survey respondents are fully tapped but sap flow has varied from minimal to good. No syrup has been made by these producers. Sap Brix ranged from 1.7-2.0.

Eastern (2)

Both survey respondents had smaller sap runs this week and produced golden to amber syrup. The average sap Brix ranged from 2.2-2.9. 2-12% of an average year’s crop has been made to date.

Overview

This may not come as a surprise but there is not much to report on this week! As predicted, the cold weather we’ve experienced over the past week has impacted the early runs of sap that producers took advantage of in previous weeks.

In nearly all regions, sap flow has slowed significantly or stopped all together. While a handful of producers still made some syrup, most of them used collected sap from a previous run.

With some warmer weather rolling in hopefully we will see things pick back up for the next report.

As always, a big thank you to survey respondents!

Southwestern (2 – number of responses)

Sap flow has slowed significantly (0.4-0.5 L/tap) compared to previous weeks. One producer has made dark syrup. 25-30% of an average year’s crop has been made by these producers.

Grey-Bruce and District (4)

Sap flow has slowed the past few days. One producer has made golden and amber syrup this past week. 4-20% of an average year’s crop has been made by respondents.

Waterloo-Wellington (2)

High levels of sugar sand were reported by one of the survey respondents. Sap flow has slowed and stopped. Up to 25% of an average year’s crop has been made.

Simcoe and District (5)

Some syrup has been made in this region over the past week using sap from a previous run. The colour of syrup ranged from amber to dark. Brix has been 2.0-2.9.

Algoma (4)

Most respondents are tapped but no sap has been collected.

Algonquin District (12)

Most respondents are tapped but sap flow has been minimal. Average sap Brix has been 2.7-3.0. Amber syrup has been made by a few producers.

Haliburton-Kawartha (5)

Most respondents are tapped but have not boiled. Sap flow has slowed, 0.05-0.27 L/tap.

Ottawa Valley District (4)

All reports received from this region indicate that producers have not tapped yet.

Quinte and District (3)

A mix of tapped and untapped. No syrup has been made yet.

Lanark (3)

Tapped but no sap has been collected by these survey respondents.

Eastern (4)

Most of the respondents have not collected any sap yet. One producer has made 10% of an average year’s crop.

Overview

Tapped, but how’s the flow?

“Early, but strong” seems to be a reoccurring comment that I’ve heard from producers in regions that are already making syrup.

Overall, most regions have been tapped since last week with more jumping on the bandwagon this week. With unseasonably warm weather over the weekend, the early and good sap flows that producers experienced last week has slowed and, in some cases, stopped all together. Similarly, the colder weather we’re having right now has slowed production in a few regions. Overall, there have been minimal clarity or filtration issues, but some producers noted higher than average sugar sand levels. Golden to amber syrup is being made.

As always, big thanks to those that completed the survey! I’ve heard from a few people this week that they love reading the survey results and hearing about what’s going on in the province 🙂

Southwestern (6 – number of responses)

Sap has been flowing well (0.25-0.65 L/tap) up until the unseasonably warm weather this past weekend. Average sap Brix has been 2.0-2.1 with minimal filtration or clarity issues in most cases. Others have experienced high levels of sugar sand compared to previous years. 10-40% of an average year’s crop has been made by survey respondents.

Grey-Bruce and District (9)

All respondents are tapped and boiling with good sap flow (0.25-0.5 L/tap). Sap Brix between 2.1-2.4, which has been described as higher than usual for these producers. There have also been reports of high amounts of sugar sand. Producers have made 5-30% of an average year’s crop.

Waterloo-Wellington (2)

Both respondents this week are tapped and making amber syrup. No filtration issues and about 35% of an average year’s crop. 0.55 L/tap on average. No clarity or filtration issues.

Simcoe and District (8)

The majority are fully tapped, and a few are boiling syrup. Sap Brix 1.8-2.0. Some producers have minimal filtration issues, while others are having difficulties filtering the high sugar sand content. Those that have been boiling have already made 20-40% of an average year’s crop.

Algoma and District (5)

Some have finished tapping, others are still waiting a few weeks. 2.0 average sap Brix. No clarity or filtration issues. 10% of average year’s crop.

Algonquin and District (7)

A mix of tapped and untapped. A few have boiled over the last week, but flows have stopped with the colder weather that has rolled in.  

Haliburton-Kawartha (12)

A mix of tapped and untapped. Sap has been running well (0.9-0.11 L/tap) but has slowed down for some producers due to the colder temperatures this week. Sap Brix 1.5-3.0. More sugar sand than usual being reported but overall minimal filtration and clarity issues. 5-30% of an average year’s crop has been made.

Ottawa Valley (5)

A few have tapped but no syrup has been made by survey respondents.

Quinte and District (4)

A few have tapped and experienced a heavy flow of sap over the weekend. A few producers have boiled golden to amber syrup.

Lanark and District (4)

A few have tapped or are well on their way. Others holding out for a week or two. Those that have tapped have had a very limited flow. None of the respondents have boiled yet.

Eastern (3)

Many producers are tapped and a few have started boiling. Reported Brix was 2.0 with moderate sap flow. 10% of an average year’s crop has been made by a respondent in the area.