Who is the biggest maple syrup producer?

Maple syrup is a popular pancake topping and natural sweetener that comes from the sap of maple trees. The maple syrup industry produces millions of gallons of syrup each year, but which country produces the most? Here’s a look at the top maple syrup producing countries in the world.

Quick Answer: Canada is by far the largest producer of maple syrup in the world.

Canada accounts for about 71% of the global maple syrup supply, producing over 13.2 million gallons in 2021. The Canadian province of Quebec alone produces over 70% of the world’s maple syrup. The United States ranks second, producing only about 6% of the world’s maple syrup supply.

Where is maple syrup produced?

Maple syrup is produced in areas where maple trees grow naturally. Maple syrup production is concentrated in northeastern North America, where climate conditions are ideal for maple growth. The top maple syrup producing countries are:

  • Canada
  • United States
  • Turkey
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Germany

There are smaller producers scattered across Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world as well. But the vast majority of maple syrup comes from Canada and the United States.

Why is Canada the top maple syrup producer?

Canada has dominated world maple syrup production for decades. Here are some key reasons why Canada leads in maple syrup production:

  • Abundant maple forests. Canada has huge expanses of maple forests, especially across Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and other eastern provinces. These extensive maple stands provide ample raw sap for maple syrup production.
  • Long tradition. Maple syrup has been produced in Canada for centuries. Generations of maple farming expertise has been passed down over the years.
  • Supportive climate. Canada has ideal climate conditions for maple growth and sap flow, with freezing nights and mild days during sugaring season.
  • Advanced technology. Canadian maple producers use the latest sap collection methods and evaporation technologies to enhance efficiency.
  • Strategic maple reserve. Canada maintains a strategic maple syrup reserve to control supply and support stable pricing.
  • Strong domestic demand. Canadians love maple syrup on pancakes and use it frequently in cooking, baking and as a condiment.

With abundant maple forests, expertise, favorable weather and strategic marketing, Canada has developed an unrivaled dominance as the world’s top maple syrup producer and exporter.

Maple syrup production by country

Here is a breakdown of the top 10 maple syrup producing countries and their annual production amounts:

Country 2021 Production (gallons)
Canada 13,200,000
United States 4,000,000
Turkey 143,000
China 121,000
Japan 88,000
South Korea 83,000
Germany 64,000
Austria 39,000
France 32,000
Finland 22,000

As shown, Canada produced over 13 million gallons in 2021, while the United States ranked a distant second at 4 million gallons. No other country came close to these North American producers in terms of total maple syrup output.

Maple syrup production in leading Canadian provinces

Within Canada, the province of Quebec accounts for a commanding majority of the nation’s maple syrup production:

Province 2021 Production (gallons)
Quebec 9,412,000
Ontario 1,980,000
New Brunswick 1,458,000
Nova Scotia 225,000
Prince Edward Island 44,000
Manitoba 29,000
Saskatchewan 24,000
Alberta 18,000
British Columbia 10,000

Quebec alone produces over 70% of the global maple syrup supply annually. Quebec’s abundant maple forests, centuries-old maple farming traditions and use of the latest production technologies have made it the world’s maple syrup capital.

How is maple syrup made?

Maple syrup is made by boiling and evaporating maple tree sap. Here is a quick overview of the maple syrup production process:

  1. Tap maple trees by drilling holes and inserting taps to extract sap in late winter/early spring.
  2. Collect sap in buckets or tubes attached to taps.
  3. Filter collected sap to remove impurities.
  4. Boil and evaporate sap down to syrup consistency.
  5. Grade, package and distribute finished maple syrup.

It typically takes 40 gallons of maple sap to produce 1 gallon of syrup. The sap is boiled until excess water evaporates, leaving behind pure maple syrup.

Key steps in detail:

1. Tapping the trees

Maple producers tap maple trees by drilling holes into the trunks and inserting taps to extract the sap. Taps are installed in late winter or early spring when temperatures cause pressure differences in the trees, forcing sap to flow out of the taps.

2. Collecting the sap

Maple sap flows out of the taps into buckets or a network of connected plastic tubes. An average maple tree yields 10 to 20 gallons of sap per season. Collecting the sap is crucial to get enough raw material for maple syrup processing.

3. Filtering

Collected sap needs to be filtered to remove debris, sediment and microorganisms. Most producers use a reverse-osmosis filtration system to ensure clean, purified sap for boiling.

4. Boiling and evaporation

Filtered sap is boiled down to syrup in large evaporators. As water evaporates, the sap thickens and takes on a golden color. Boiling continues until the target density is reached, indicating maple syrup sugar concentration.

5. Grading and packaging

Finished maple syrup is graded by color and flavor. Common grades are Golden, Amber and Dark. The syrup is then packaged while hot to sterilize and seal the containers. Glass or plastic bottles are most often used.

Through this multi-step process, maple sap is transformed into delicious syrup for consumers to enjoy.

Major maple syrup brands

While most maple syrup comes from small producers, there are a few large brands that dominate the grocery and retail market:

Brand Owner
Aunt Jemima PepsiCo/Quaker Oats Company
Hungry Jack Pinnacle Foods
Mrs. Butterworth’s ConAgra Foods
Log Cabin Pinnacle Foods
Private labels (Great Value, Kirkland, etc.) Various grocery retailers

These major brands source maple syrup from Canadian suppliers but manufacture and package it under their own labels. Private label syrups sold under grocery store brands also make up a large portion of retail maple syrup sales.

Popular Quebec maple syrup brands include:

  • Boucherie Michel Daigle
  • Aliments D.G. Yu
  • Érablière Charbonneau
  • Les Sucreries Fortin
  • La Sirop d’Érable Fortin
  • La Sucrerie de la Montagne

These leading brands show that Quebec dominates the maple syrup consumer market as much as the production market.

Maple syrup prices and marketing

Maple syrup prices and marketing are influenced by:

  • Supply and demand – Low supply from poor sap harvests can drive up prices. High supply leads to lower prices.
  • Maple syrup grade – Darker, stronger grades often command higher prices than lighter, delicate grades.
  • Branding – Premium branding helps justify higher retail prices for top maple syrup brands.
  • Certification – Certified organic and fair trade maple syrups are priced higher.
  • Region – Maple syrup from Canada or Vermont can fetch higher prices than syrup from other areas.
  • Package size – Retail prices per ounce/ml tend to be higher for smaller package sizes.
  • Bulk discounts – Buying larger volumes in bulk brings lower per unit prices.
  • Strategic reserve – Canada controls supply and supports prices through a strategic maple syrup reserve.

In Canada, maple syrup pricing and quotas are regulated through the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers to maintain stable maple syrup prices and prevent oversupply.

Future outlook

Maple syrup production is expected to keep growing over the next decade, although climate change poses some challenges. Key predictions include:

  • Global demand for maple syrup will increase, especially in Asia.
  • Warming temperatures may reduce sap yields in current maple regions.
  • Maple production may shift northward as suitable habitat expands.
  • New technologies will improve sap collection and processing efficiency.
  • Canada will likely maintain dominance, but the US could gain market share.
  • Increasing competition from maple-like syrup substitutes containing no maple at all.

Innovation and strategic climate adaptation will be key factors for the future of the global maple syrup industry. Canada is poised to defend its status as the heavyweight champion of maple syrup production for years to come.

Conclusion

Canada, led by the province of Quebec, is by far the largest maple syrup producing country in the world. Quebec alone generates over 70% of the global maple syrup supply each year. The United States ranks a distant second in production. Maple syrup is produced by tapping maple trees and boiling down the sap into sweet syrup. Canada is expected to continue dominating world maple syrup production into the future, although climate change effects and competition from maple-flavored syrups may present challenges to overcome.

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