By Canadian Press

Global maple syrup shortage forces Quebec to release half its strategic reserve

Nov 29, 2021 | 2:29 PM

MONTREAL — The organization governing Quebec’s maple syrup producers is releasing half its strategic reserve to address a global shortage of the province’s “blond gold.”

Hélène Normandin with Quebec Maple Syrup Producers says the group will be releasing 50 million pounds of maple syrup — worth about $150 million — on the world market by February.

Normandin says the demand for maple syrup this year is outstripping supply.

She says Canadian maple syrup exports — most of which come from Quebec — have risen 20 per cent since January 2020, adding that last year’s warm winter resulted in the production of about 133 million pounds of syrup, down 40 million pounds compared with the prior year.

Normandin says people shouldn’t worry because her organization created the strategic reserve specifically to address shortages.

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The reserve was created in the year 2000 and can hold up to 100 million pounds of maple syrup.

Quebec produces nearly three-quarters of the global maple syrup supply and exports the product to more than 60 countries.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Nov. 29, 2021. 

The Canadian Press