The association of Quebec maple syrup producers frees up half of its “strategic reserve” in order to deal with a global shortage of Quebec “blond gold”.
Hélène Normandin, communications director for Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, said on Monday that the organization would put on the world market by February 23 million kilograms of maple syrup – worth about $ 150 million .
“It’s not worrying, because we have a reserve. If we didn’t have one, we’d be in trouble. The reserve is precisely for that, ”explained Mme Normandin, who says demand for maple syrup exceeds supply this year.
She explains that Canadian maple syrup exports – mainly from Quebec – have increased by 20% since January 2020.
In addition, the particularly mild winter of last year reduced the yield of about 18 million kilograms of syrup compared to the previous year. Production thus amounted to 60 million kilograms.
“We work with nature, we know it’s normal and that all seasons are not the same,” said Hélène Normandin.
She mentioned that the increase in demand was partly due to the fact that the United States did not have its own supply of syrup.
“The current year is not enough. Their syrup that was produced in 2021 has all been sold, and they get more from us, ”she said.
Mme Normandin assures that consumers should not worry, because his organization has created a strategic reserve to deal with such seasonal shortages. This reserve, created in 2000, can contain up to 45 million kilograms of maple syrup.
“It stabilizes the supply, in situations where we produce a little less or when demand increases. We are always able to respond, it is not only the annual production that will meet the demand for maple syrup this year, but the fact that we have a reserve to draw and fill, ”added Hélène Normandin.
Quebec produces nearly three-quarters of the world’s maple syrup supply and exports the commodity to more than 60 countries.
The communications director for Quebec Maple Syrup Producers said that in order to avoid future shortages, seven million trees will be added, over the next three years, to the 50 million that are cut each year in the province.
“Maybe we’ll add some more [des arbres] – there is still room if everyone starts consuming maple syrup in the world! “