Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers set to expand its plant/warehouse for the Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve

Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

Reserve capacity will increase to 98 million pounds

LAURIERVILLE, QC, Dec. 11, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (FPAQ) announced this morning that it will expand its plant/warehouse in Laurierville by an additional 32,000 sq. ft., for a total surface area of 267,000 sq. ft.

The expansion comes just two years after the official opening of the facility in October 2013. The additional warehouse space, a $2 million investment by Quebec maple syrup producers, should be ready for its first barrels of syrup by the end of the 2016 sugar season.

Owned by Quebec's 13,500 maple syrup producers, the Laurierville facility in central Quebec's regional county municipality of L'Érable is used to collect, pasteurize, and store millions of pounds of syrup destined for the Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve. Thanks to the reserve, the industry and consumers worldwide have access to a constant, fairly priced supply of maple products, regardless of how generous—or stingy—Mother Nature may be.

Storage capacity equivalent to an entire production season

Upon completion, FPAQ's 267,000 square foot facility will have space for 98 million pounds of maple syrup. This represents 165,000 forty-five-gallon barrels—the equivalent of 13 Olympic-size pools. The reserve currently holds 62 million pounds, stored at three different sites.

"We're proud of the facility we built in 2013, which enables us to pasteurize and stockpile maple syrup in order to offset the significant impact that annual variations in production could have on prices," said FPAQ president Serge Beaulieu. "With today's announcement of this $2 million investment, financed entirely by Quebec maple syrup producers, we'll have the capacity to respond to growing international demand for maple products and the steady increase in production."

Quebec maple syrup exports are at historic highs

Canadian maple product exports hit a historic high in 2014, with more than 84 million pounds shipped to over 53 countries. FPAQ's sales agency also set a new record, with 100 million pounds sold. Since 2010, agency sales have increased by 14.2% annually, and exports by 4.2%. Over the past three years, the Quebec maple syrup industry has contributed some $800 million annually to the Canadian economy, primarily in producer regions.

About FPAQ

The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers was founded in 1966 with the mission of defending and promoting the economic, social and moral interests of 7,300 maple syrup businesses, as well as developing initiatives to collectively market maple products. The quality work of these maple producers has made Quebec the proud source of 70% of the world's maple syrup.

fpaq.ca 

SOURCE Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

Image with caption: "December 11, 2015 - Quebec Maple Syrup Producers expand warehouse in Laurierville Sylvain Labrecque, prefect of MRC de l'Érable, Marc Simoneau, mayor of Laurierville, Sylvie Roy, deputy of Arthabaska, Réjean Gingras, executive director of Laurierville, Serge Beaulieu, president of FPAQ, Ghislain Bolduc, deputy of Mégantic, Simon Trépanier, executive director of FPAQ. (CNW Group/Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151211_C8750_PHOTO_EN_563159.jpg

Caroline Cyr, Communications Officer, Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, 450-679-7021, ext. 8601, [email protected]