LONGUEUIL, QC, June 13, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Quebec's maple syrup producers had a very good harvest for the 2014 season, but their patience was stretched thin due to the cold weather that persisted in early spring. The first tentative flows took place in mid-March in the regions of Saint-Jean-Valleyfield and Saint-Hyacinthe. However, it was only at the beginning of April that the maples really started to produce their precious maple water and producers from all regions were finally able to start production. Despite this late start, they were treated to favourable temperatures, light frosts at night and thaws during the day throughout April until the first week of May. Ultimately, these particular conditions did not affect the production of maple syrup in Quebec. The 42.7 million taps in production among the 7,300 maple companies in Quebec produced 113.7 million pounds of maple syrup, with an average yield of 2.67 pounds per tap.
The second best harvest and a quality product
The 2014 harvest did not surpass last year's record of 120.3 million pounds, but it goes down as the second best harvest, ahead of 2009 which produced 109.4 million pounds of maple syrup. In addition, nearly 75% of the maple syrup already inspected has been classified in the first three categories, Extra Light, Light and Medium. This very good harvest constitutes nearly 225,000 barrels of maple syrup that quality auditors need to classify and inspect.
Characteristics of the 2014 season
"This year's harvest was characterized by a long-awaited spring as cold winter temperatures endured throughout Quebec," explains Mr. Serge Beaulieu, President of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. "Over the last few years, producers in the west of Quebec have been starting production in late February or early March. The persistent cold was worrying for many of us because it can mean sudden warmer temperatures, which can affect production of maple syrup. Against all expectations, April remained cold which allowed an intense but successful season. These conditions seem to have been beneficial for the Bas-Saint-Laurent-Gaspésie producers who had an excellent yield exceeding 3 pounds per tap (3.18 lb./tap)."
The Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve, an essential program
This late season start meant that the strategic reserve played an essential role in ensuring continuous supply for various markets. In March and April, the Sales Agency sold 11.5 million pounds of maple syrup, bringing the level of the reserve to 52 million pounds at the end of April, which was the beginning of the production season. The reserve was created in 2000 to ensure stability to supply and prices, and thus allowing the entire local maple industry to grow.
| Quebec Maple Syrup Harvest | ||
| Year | Total Volume (farm sales, retail and bulk, in millions of pounds) |
Yield (pounds per tap) |
| 2014 | 113.7 | 2.67 |
| 2013 | 120.3 | 2.82 |
| 2012 | 96.1 | 2.24 |
| 2011 | 101.9 | 2.39 |
| 2010 | 88.1 | 2.04 |
| 2009 | 109.4 | 2.65 |
| 2008 | 58.8 | 1.56 |
| 2007 | 61.7 | 1.73 |
| 2006 | 68.6 | 1.99 |
| 2014 MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION ESTIMATES BY MAPLE-PRODUCING REGION IN QUEBEC | |||||
| Administrative Region | Number of Businesses |
Yield (pounds/tap) |
Maple Syrup Production (pounds) |
Taps (Number) |
|
| Chaudière-Appalaches | 3,293 | 2.43 | 40,822,156 | 16,809,379 | |
| Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspesia | 560 | 3.18 | 25,634,134 | 8,050,680 | |
| Eastern Townships | 820 | 2.60 | 19,201,854 | 7,378,869 | |
| Centre-du-Québec | 749 | 2.68 | 10,600,891 | 3,957,921 | |
| Montérégie | 486 | 2.84 | 6,954,344 | 2,448,364 | |
| Capitale-Nationale, Saguenay/Lac-St-Jean | 206 | 2.82 | 3,578,969 | 1,268,400 | |
| Laurentides, Outaouais, Abitibi-Témiscamingue | 165 | 2.61 | 3,870,612 | 1,484,439 | |
| Lanaudière, Laval, Montreal | 147 | 2.50 | 1,681,681 | 673,148 | |
| Mauricie | 80 | 2.65 | 1,377,770 | 520,856 | |
| TOTAL | 6,506 | 2.67 | 113,722,411 | 42,592,056 | |
| Source: AGÉCO Group,2014 Estimated average maple syrup production yield and number of taps, by region and for all of Quebec for 2014 |
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About the FPAQ
Founded in 1966, the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers is driven by its mission to defend and promote the economic, social and moral interests of 7,300 Quebec maple syrup businesses and to develop initiatives to collectively market their products. The quality work of these maple producers has made Quebec the proud source of 75% of the world's maple syrup.
SOURCE: Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers
Source:
Paul Rouillard
Deputy Director
Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers
[email protected]
450 679-7021, ext. 8330
Information:
Caroline Cyr
Communications Agent
Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers
[email protected]
450 679-7021, ext. 8609
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