Bulk maple syrup marketing in Quebec: Producers and buyers conclude agreement for 2017 season

LONGUEUIL, QC, Jan. 4, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (the Federation), representing maple syrup producers, and Conseil de l'industrie de l'érable (CIE), representing maple syrup buyers, are pleased to announce the signing of an agreement outlining the conditions for the sale and marketing of bulk maple syrup for the 2017–2018 marketing seasons. It took multiple rounds of negotiations to nail down the terms of the agreement. Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec (RMAAQ) will not have to arbitrate the 2017 agreement—good news for the industry as a whole. The parties have submitted the agreement for approval by RMAAQ.

Maple syrup prices remain the same under the final agreement. However classification will now be based on four grades instead of the previous five (AA, A, B, C, D) to align with new federal and provincial classifications. If approved by RMAAQ, 2017 prices will be as follows: Golden $2.95, Amber $2.94, Dark $2.85, and Very Dark $2.55. The price of syrups classified as Canada Processing Grade will remain $1.80. The premium for certified organic maple syrup has increased from $0.175/pound to $0.18/pound.

Both CIE and the Federation have expressed satisfaction with the agreement. "We are pleased to have been able to find common ground relatively quickly. It speaks to our industry knowledge and growing mutual trust," said Federation president Serge Beaulieu. With the new agreement in place, industry stakeholders will know what to expect from market conditions, which won't be tied to the size of the upcoming harvest. "Both sides had to compromise to reach an agreement. The industry can now focus on expanding markets and increasing sales," said CIE president Eliott Levasseur.

The last time the Federation and CIE came before RMAAQ for arbitration was in 2012. The parties have managed to come to a price agreement every year since. The marketing agreement must be negotiated every two years and approved by RMAAQ. The agreement is an opportunity for bulk producers and buyers to come to terms on different aspects of maple syrup marketing and sales, including:

• Minimum prices
• Definition of an authorized buyer and requirements for becoming one
• Quality and grade verification
• Payment terms
• Maple syrup and maple water storage and handling
• Barrel management (returns, quality)
• Requirements for use of industrial grade syrup
• Batch sales

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 products produced by Quebec's 43 million taps. The quality work of these maple producers has made Quebec the proud source of over 72% of the world's maple syrup.

About CIE

Conseil de l'industrie de l'érable (CIE) was accredited by Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec (RMAAQ) in 2010 to represent buyers of the product designated in the Quebec Maple Producers Joint Plan. CIE speaks for some 60 authorized buyers in negotiating Quebec's bulk maple syrup marketing agreement. Products purchased by these buyers are processed and prepared primarily in Quebec and distributed on domestic and world markets.

fpaq.ca — @AcericoleQc
conseiltaq.com/cie

SOURCE Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

Paul Rouillard, Deputy Director, Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, [email protected], 450-679-7021, ext. 8330; Daniel Dufour, Executive Director, Conseil de l'industrie de l'érable, [email protected], 438-238-1719

Related Links

http://fpaq.ca/