Quebec’s maple syrup producers say their strategic reserve has been reduced to zero as strong demand continues to outpace supply.
Luc Goulet, president of Québec Maple Syrup Producers, said the buffer stock has been exhausted while sales keep rising, according to CBC News and The Canadian Press. The reserve is kept to stabilize supply and prices because maple sap yields depend heavily on weather. A warm winter or short spring can sharply cut production in any given year.
With the reserve empty, producers face a greater risk of turning away buyers if the next season is poor. Goulet pointed to shortages in 2007 and 2008, when the industry lost markets because product was not available. Once commercial customers switch to other sweeteners, those habits can be hard to reverse.
A major factor in the current depletion was a surge in U.S. orders last year. Commercial buyers stocked up ahead of possible tariffs from the Trump administration. Exports rose 9.34 percent in 2024 and accelerated to a 15.8 percent increase in 2025. Through August of this year, exports were up a more modest 2.48 percent compared with the same period in 2025.
The producers’ association is asking the Quebec government for financial support to expand production capacity and develop new markets outside the United States. Officials say the industry contributes significantly to the provincial economy and supports thousands of jobs, but current support is not enough to keep pace with rising demand.
The strategic reserve is held in warehouses managed by the producers’ organization. No timeline has been given for when it might be rebuilt. The next tapping season will determine whether producers can begin replenishing stocks or face continued pressure on available supply.
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