Rising international demand for maple syrup and a drop in production last year have created a global shortage B次元官网网址� but QuebecB次元官网网址檚 strategic reserve is ready to hold the line.

The organization governing QuebecB次元官网网址檚 maple syrup producers will release onto the market 50 million pounds of maple syrup B次元官网网址� worth about $150 million B次元官网网址� by February, H茅l猫ne Normandin, the groupB次元官网网址檚 spokeswoman, said in an interview Monday. The reserve can hold up to 100 million pounds of maple syrup, she added.

B次元官网网址淚f we didnB次元官网网址檛 have a reserve, we would be in trouble,B次元官网网址� Normandin, with Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, said. B次元官网网址淏ut the reserve is exactly for this.B次元官网网址�

Demand for maple syrup this year is outstripping supply, she explained.

Canadian maple syrup exports B次元官网网址� most of which come from Quebec B次元官网网址� have risen 21 per cent since January 2020, Normandin said, adding that last yearB次元官网网址檚 warm winter resulted in the production of about 133 million pounds of syrup, down 40 million pounds compared with the prior year.

B次元官网网址淲e work with Mother Nature,B次元官网网址� Normandin said. B次元官网网址淲e know itB次元官网网址檚 normal that not all production years are the same.B次元官网网址�

She said a big reason why demand has increased is due to the fact the United States doesnB次元官网网址檛 have its own syrup reserve. B次元官网网址淭hey sold all of their maple syrup produced in 2021, so they are digging into our supply even more,B次元官网网址� she said.

Normandin said people shouldnB次元官网网址檛 worry because her organization created the strategic reserve specifically to address shortages.

B次元官网网址淭he reserve was put in place by producers in 2000 to address situations of high demand or low production,B次元官网网址� Normandin said. B次元官网网址淎nd this year, it wonB次元官网网址檛 only be the annual production that will meet the needs, but the fact that we have that reserve.B次元官网网址�

Quebec produces nearly three-quarters of the global maple syrup supply and exports the product to more than 60 countries. Normandin said that to avoid future shortages, an extra seven million trees over the next three years will be added to the 50 million that are tapped annually in the province.

B次元官网网址淢aybe weB次元官网网址檒l add even more (trees) B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 still some room if everybody starts to consume maple syrup around the world!B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址擵irginie Ann, The Canadian Press