Quebec maple syrup producers want to replenish the strategic reserve of maple syrup, which has melted like snow in the spring in recent months due to strong international demand. To do this, they are increasing the number of taps this year by 14% and are planning the construction of a new warehouse to increase storage capacity.
“2021 was an average year,” concedes Hélène Normandin, spokesperson for Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (PPAQ). After two record years, early heat caused production to drop 16% last year, to 113 million pounds.
Alongside the seasonal underperformance, international demand increased. Exports of the precious liquid jumped 38.8% in two years, from 107 million to 149 million liters.
“When the pandemic broke out, we didn’t know how consumers were going to react. We had no idea, but it ended up being good for us. People cooked more and our promotional efforts worked well,” says Ms.me Normandin.
To meet demand, maple producers have dipped considerably into their strategic reserve of maple syrup, which serves to ensure the constant supply of markets despite the vagaries of annual production.
The maple syrup stored there is currently at its lowest level in almost a decade. “We have seen the usefulness of our strategic reserve, which has gone from 104 million pounds to 37 million,” she says.
Quebec maple producers have also gone to the cash register: “They are the ones who financially support this reserve. As long as the syrup stored there is not sold, they are not paid. So, this year, we made people happy. »
Increased capacity
Syrup producers must now replenish the reserve. To do this, the PPAQ awarded seven million new taps in December, an unprecedented number since 2016. Three maple regions alone account for nearly half of the taps awarded: Estrie, Centre-du-Québec and Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie which form a single region.
“Each year, the members of our board of directors, who are producers, make the decision whether or not to award new taps,” explains Ms.me Normandin. They considered various factors, including seasonal production, changes in demand and the level of the strategic reserve. “This year, they decided to go ahead. »
Added to its attributions are 2,000 new maple syrup producers. “Some had been waiting for the granting of notches since 2016 because they had not obtained authorization”, underlines Mme Normandin.
To ensure the future of the industry, the government will announce by the summer the construction of a new warehouse to increase the storage capacity of the reserve, confirmed to the Homework Mme Normandin. The warehouse will be built this year in Centre-du-Québec, not far from the current Laurierville reserve.
“I can’t go too far. We are working with the Minister of Agriculture, we are going to tie up for a more official announcement by the end of the spring,” said Ms.me Normandin. The future establishment is nevertheless presented as a “significant additional storage space”.