Expanded potential for Kentucky's forest economy through maple syrup, according to a University of Kentucky study

In the heart of the Bluegrass State, a sweet opportunity for economic growth is brewing. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Kentucky's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment has shed light on the potential of maple syrup production in Kentucky.

The study, titled "Economic impacts of maple syrup production potential in Kentucky: Input-output analysis", published in Forest Policy and Economics, reveals that maple syrup production could boost local economies in the state.

Consumer demand for natural, locally produced foods continues to rise in the United States, and Kentucky producers would be well-positioned to supply local and regional markets with maple syrup. Despite being at the southern edge of traditional maple syrup regions, Kentucky has millions of acres of suitable maples that are largely untapped.

Shoppers often pay a premium for syrup delivered by local producers, and the study estimates that statewide maple syrup production has the capacity to circulate up to $25 million each year. In fact, the United States' maple syrup market is currently valued at more than $150 million annually, with the high range estimates suggesting that roughly 1.4 million liters of syrup could annually enter the market.

The study also estimates that maple syrup production could create more than 1,300 jobs and contribute roughly $1.6 million in taxes once the sector reaches its upper projected potential. The economic benefits of maple syrup production would extend beyond producers in the woods and sugarhouses to suppliers, haulers, packagers, and retailers.

Researchers plan to refine cost estimates, explore value-added products, and study long-term forest health under sustained tapping. Maple syrup production is sustainable as it doesn't require trees to be harvested, allowing forest owners to manage their land while still earning income.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Resources can be visited at forestry.ca.uky.edu for more information on maple syrup production in Kentucky. The UK Cooperative Extension Service, Kentucky Maple Syrup Association, Kentucky Division of Forestry, and the U.S. Forest Service will host offseason workshops on maple syrup production to help interested parties get started.

Demand for pure maple syrup outpaces supply across the lower Midwest and South, making Kentucky's untapped potential all the more promising. With the support of the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this sweet opportunity could soon become a reality for Kentucky.