Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has decided to grant a record sum to Quebec maple syrup producers to help them promote maple syrup abroad.
In a press release, the Producteurs et produceres acéricoles du Québec (PPAQ) welcomed the subsidy of up to $3.6 million for the next three years.
“This funding will make it possible to substantially enhance our promotional activities under the generic brand “Maple from Canada” in the main export markets, namely Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia, indicated the president of the PPAQ, Luc Goulet, who represents the interests of 13,300 maple syrup producers and more than 8,000 maple syrup companies.
“Educating consumers about the benefits and versatility of maple, here and beyond borders, is work that we do continuously,” he added. This allows us to differentiate ourselves by responding to new food trends and the environmental concerns of our customers.”
According to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, the subsidy from Ottawa is necessary to continue export growth.
He also insisted on the importance of “promoting the quality, versatility and sustainability of Canadian maple syrup in order to grow demand, increase our exports and create more possibilities” for maple producers. .
According to the PPAQ, maple syrup exports increased by 28% between 2019 and 2023. La Belle Province provides on average 72% of global maple syrup production and exports to more than 70 countries.
