Courtesy: Producteurs et productrices acéricoles du Québec
A worker taps a tree as the sugaring season gets underway

By William Crook

Local Journalism Initiative

The Quebec maple syrup industry is navigating a shifting landscape in 2025, balancing record production with market challenges, including new tariffs imposed by the United States. David Hall, Montérégie-Est President of the Productions et productrices acéricoles du Québec (PPAQ), spoke about the state of the industry, recent technological advancements, and the potential impact of the tariffs in a recent interview.

Record production despite weather concerns

Despite initial fears that last year’s warm winter would negatively affect maple syrup yields, 2024 turned out to be a record-setting season for many producers. “Everybody thought it was going to be a bad year,” Hall said, “but it turned out to be a record year for most people.”

Hall explained that optimal weather conditions are key to sap flow, and despite the lack of snow, the season aligned well with tree activity. “It’s the weather you get when the trees want to run,” he said, noting that the ease of access due to lower snowfall also helped many producers be ready ahead of time.

While it’s too early to predict the outcome for 2025, Hall remains cautiously optimistic, stating that “long-term weather forecasts don’t look bad.” He mentioned that some producers had already begun collecting sap due to unseasonably warm conditions in late February.

Market stability and challenges

The Quebec maple syrup industry remains a global powerhouse, with significant portions of production being exported. Eastern Townships syrup producers typically sell their output to packers, who then distribute it to domestic and international markets. Large companies like Citadelle in Plessisville and a major packer in Granby handle millions of pounds of syrup each year.

While the U.S. produces significant amounts of maple syrup—particularly in Vermont—American buyers continue to rely heavily on Quebec’s supply. “The U.S. is not self-sufficient in maple syrup production,” Hall explained, adding that many American producers are seeking alternative sales strategies due to dissatisfaction with packer pricing.

The industry also faces broader financial pressures, including rising costs for labour, equipment, and materials. “COVID drove prices up,” Hall said. “Labour was hard to come by, stainless steel was expensive, oil went up, plastic went up.” These factors have increased the cost of syrup production, forcing producers to adapt.

Impact of tariffs

A major concern for 2025 is the recent imposition of tariffs on Canadian maple syrup entering the U.S. Hall acknowledged that it’s still too early to determine the full impact on Quebec producers but anticipates that American packers will likely pass the cost on to consumers. “What’s going to happen is the U.S. packers are just going to up their price,” he said. While some companies might absorb part of the tariff, Hall believes that in the long run, prices will adjust accordingly.

Some industry observers have suggested that Quebec producers could collaborate to push back against the tariffs, but Hall is skeptical. “Each packer is different,” he said. “It’s not like hair combs—maple syrup is a sweat equity game.” He explained that profit margins are tight, making it difficult for producers to absorb additional costs without passing them down the supply chain.

The push for sustainable expansion

One of the biggest ongoing battles in the industry is securing more land for syrup production. Hall pointed out that the Eastern Townships has one of the highest percentages of land already in syrup production, limiting expansion opportunities. “Maple syrup is better for the economy, better for the environment,” he said, emphasizing that it generates more government revenue than traditional forestry.

However, accessing Crown land remains a challenge, as the forestry industry competes for the same territory. “The forestry lobbies are strong,” Hall noted, adding that PPAQ’s long-term goal is to secure more land for syrup production.

For those who do lease Crown land, producers must invest heavily in infrastructure. “You’re responsible for roads if there aren’t any,” Hall explained. “You have to bring in hydro or use a generator.” Despite the upfront costs, he believes the benefits outweigh the challenges, particularly as demand for maple syrup continues to grow.

Technological advancements

In recent years, technological improvements have helped producers reduce costs and increase efficiency. One of the most significant advancements has been electric evaporators, which dramatically lower production costs compared to traditional oil-fired systems. “Your production cost is 10 per cent of what it would be with oil,” Hall said. However, the initial investment is steep—around $250,000 per unit.

Reverse osmosis (RO) technology has also continued to evolve, allowing producers to extract water more efficiently from sap before boiling. “The technology keeps improving,” Hall said, adding that new systems can now remove up to 90 per cent of the water before the evaporation process, reducing energy consumption.

Looking ahead

As the industry moves forward, Hall expects continued adaptation to economic pressures and environmental factors. He noted that the PPAQ monitors inventory levels and exports closely, ensuring that production aligns with demand. “It’s fairly transparent,” he said, referring to the reporting system that tracks export figures.

Despite uncertainties surrounding tariffs and land access, the industry remains resilient. Hall pointed out that many smaller producers continue sugaring for the tradition and enjoyment of it, while larger operations invest in new technology to maintain efficiency. “Some people play hockey; some people make syrup,” he said with a chuckle.

With the sugaring season now underway, Quebec’s maple syrup producers will be keeping a close eye on weather conditions and market trends, hoping for another strong year despite the evolving challenges.