Canada is running out of maple syrup reserves

Hoping for a good harvest Canada is running out of maple syrup reserves as of: October 22, 2026 • 10:52 a.m

Canada has a strategic maple syrup reserve - and it is running out. It should be completely empty by the end of February next year. Last year there was panic buying by importers, especially from the USA.

Canada is running out of strategic supplies of maple syrup. The reserve in the province of Quebec is expected to be completely depleted by the end of February 2027, said the industry association PPAQ.

The strategic reserve was set up to ensure a relatively stable price and supply situation in the face of crop fluctuations. But now the remaining stocks have already been sold and will be delivered to buyers by the end of February 2027, according to a spokesman. It's more than 35 million pounds - almost 16 million kilos.

For the first time, Canadian goods that fall under the free trade agreement are also affected. more

When asked, the association did not provide any information about the background to the current development. However, last year there was panic buying by importers from abroad - especially from the USA.

Because of the tariff dispute between the USA and Canada, US customers had stocked up on supplies in order to forestall future tariffs, writes the Canadian Press agency. According to government information, exports to the USA increased by 17 percent between 2024 and 2025 - total exports were 53.3 million kilograms. Currently, Canadian maple syrup is not affected by US import tariffs.

But maple syrup exports to the USA had also climbed significantly in the same period last year - and thus before US President Donald Trump took office, which has had a significant impact on the customs dispute. In 2025, around 65 percent of exports went to the USA. A good seven percent went to Germany.

The fact that the supplies in the strategic reserve are now running low does not initially have any serious consequences. The association does not initially expect a supply bottleneck given the buyers' full warehouses.

Nevertheless, there is hope for a good harvest season in 2027 to replenish the reserve. If this turns out badly and the strategic reserve is empty, there will be no buffer against sudden price increases. Consumers abroad could then pay noticeably higher prices.

Quebec is the world leader in maple syrup production: in 2025, according to the Canadian government, the Canadian industry accounted for 75 percent of global maple syrup production and Quebec accounted for 90 percent of that.

This topic in the program: NDR Info | News | Oct 22, 2026 | 04:33