New Hampshire’s maple syrup producers are reporting an excellent start to the 2026 sugaring season, with ideal weather conditions producing strong sap flows across the state’s sugar bushes from the Connecticut River Valley to the White Mountains.
The key to a productive maple season is a pattern of freezing nights followed by warm days, which creates the pressure changes within maple trees that drive sap flow. This March has delivered near-textbook conditions, with nighttime lows consistently dropping into the 20s and daytime temperatures climbing into the 40s and low 50s.
“It’s one of the best starts I’ve seen in 20 years of tapping trees,” said Ben Fisk, who operates Fisk’s Sugar House in Wilton. “The sap has been running strong and the sugar content is excellent.”
New Hampshire ranks fourth nationally in maple syrup production, with approximately 900 producers tapping more than 800,000 trees across the state. The industry generates an estimated $18 million in annual revenue and is deeply woven into the state’s cultural identity and tourism economy.
The New Hampshire Maple Producers Association reports that many sugarhouses have already reached 40 percent of their typical seasonal output, well ahead of the usual pace. Association president Anne Krantz said the early returns suggest a harvest that could exceed the state’s five-year average of 165,000 gallons.
“Everything is lining up — the temperatures, the snow pack, the tree health,” Krantz said. “If the weather cooperates through mid-April, we could see a banner year.”
Maple Weekend, the annual open-house celebration where sugarhouses across the state welcome visitors to watch the boiling process and sample fresh syrup, is scheduled for the last weekend of March. More than 80 sugarhouses are participating, offering tours, tastings, and family activities.
Producers recommend arriving early at popular sugarhouses, as parking lots tend to fill quickly. A complete list of participating locations is available at nhmapleproducers.com.
