Canada is the world’s largest maple syrup producer, with most of its output coming from Quebec. The Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, which manages the province’s emergency reserve, expects the stored syrup to run out by February. Although fresh production will continue, the reserve will no longer provide protection against changes in output, which depends heavily on the weather.
Demand rose sharply in 2025 as Americans bought extra Canadian syrup before expected tariffs under President Donald Trump. These taxes on imports encouraged buyers to build up supplies. Canadian syrup exports increased by nearly 16% that year, while production fell by 5%. Export growth then slowed: during the first eight months of 2026, sales abroad were only 2.5% higher than in the same period a year earlier.
Despite the shrinking reserve, the producers’ group says market supplies are secure for the coming year. Rebuilding the reserve will take place over the next few years, and a strong production season in 2027 would help. Quebec has increased its production capacity by 50% over six years, adding more than 21 million taps. These are points where producers collect sap, the liquid from maple trees used to make syrup.
