About the Maple Sustainability Indicators Initiative
The Maple Sustainability Indicators Initiative is a collaborative, data-driven project that aims to better understand the sustainability of maple syrup production across the Northeastern U.S. and Canada. By bringing together researchers, producers, policymakers, and community members, the initiative builds a shared framework to track what matters most for the future of maple—its economic resilience, environmental health, and product quality.
We work with experts in forestry, agriculture, food systems, and rural development to collect, analyze, and share information that can guide decisions at every level of the industry. The indicators presented on this site reflect years of effort to monitor trends, identify challenges, and highlight successes across the maple landscape. From market prices and forest health to flavor compliance and packaging shifts, these metrics offer a multi-dimensional look at how the maple industry is changing—and what that means for its long-term viability.
Explore each of the core dimensions below to learn more.
Economics Dimension
This dimension focuses on the financial dynamics that shape the maple industry. We analyze long-term trends in bulk and retail syrup prices, examine the impacts of U.S.-Canadian exchange rates, and evaluate the economic viability of different maple business models. We also explore how maple production supports rural communities through land use, labor access, and market diversification.
Key Topics
Historical price trends and inflation-adjusted comparisons
The role of exchange rates in cross-border syrup trade
Business viability and market mix
Community economic contributions (land tenure, labor, capital access)
Environmental Dimension
Maple trees don’t thrive in isolation—they're part of complex forest ecosystems that require thoughtful management and protection. This dimension tracks forest health using a range of ecological indicators, including tree vigor, canopy dieback, transparency, and discoloration. We also use life cycle assessment (LCA) to explore the environmental impacts of syrup production, from tapping practices to processing and packaging.
Key Topics
Forest health trends based on multi-year monitoring
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of maple production systems
Forestry management and climate-related stressors
Impacts of sustainability practices on long-term tree health
Human/Health Dimension
The Human/Health Dimension examines how maple syrup production impacts the physical and mental well-being of producers and the workforce. Drawing on survey and interview data, this dimension highlights the physical demands of seasonal labor, the ergonomics of syrup production tasks, and the emotional and social significance of maple work. It also explores broader questions of work-life balance, stress, and the sustainability of labor across generations. By centering the human experience, this dimension brings visibility to the people behind the product and underscores how labor conditions are integral to long-term sustainability.
Key Topics
Seasonal labor demands and workload distribution
Ergonomic challenges in tapping, hauling, and boiling
Producer and worker well-being, including stress and burnout
Multi-generational labor and the social fabric of maple communities
Changing expectations around labor, care, and succession
Production Dimension
The Production Dimension focuses on the technical and ecological aspects of how maple syrup is produced, from forest management to tapping and boiling practices. This dimension examines key metrics such as sap yield, production efficiency, and the ecological intensity of syrup-making processes. We also explore the relationship between forest conditions, labor inputs, and seasonal climate variability, which together shape the quantity and quality of syrup produced each year. By highlighting the material realities of production, this dimension brings attention to how maple producers are adapting to climate change, shifting labor dynamics, and technological innovation.
Key Topics
Sap yield and tap-to-syrup ratios
Seasonal production variability and climate impacts
Fuel use and efficiency in syrup processing
Labor time and workload across production phases
Forest structure and access for sap collection