Ottawa and Quebec to Provide $774,000 in Funding

From: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

News release

March 16, 2018 – Montreal, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The governments of Canada and Quebec are providing $774,000 in funding to start up and implement the Cash Advances on the Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve Program. The program, put in place by the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec, is part of the AgriRisk Initiatives co-funded under the Growing Forward 2 agreement.

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, made the announcement, stating that the funding is intended to cover part of the costs associated with starting up and implementing the program, which will make it possible to pay advances to Quebec producers for maple syrup stored in the strategic reserve. As the maple syrup can be stocked there for a long period, maple syrup producers cannot secure financing on its value. As a result of this program, maple syrup producers will be able to access cash to invest in their businesses.

Quotes

"The government of Canada is proud to support the Quebec maple syrup industry by giving it the tools it needs to continue to be a world leader in maple syrup production, contributing millions of dollars to our economy and providing more than 10,000 jobs in several regions in Quebec and across Canada. This investment will drive the development and modernization of this key sector of the economy, allowing maple syrup producers to become even more competitive and helping us reach our ambitious target of $75 billion in agricultural exports by 2025."

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"By advancing them these funds, the program will encourage investments in the maple syrup sector, helping producers to fully assume their leadership role, while contributing to the vitality of Quebec's regions."

- Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 

Quick facts

  • In 2017, Quebec produced 152 million pounds of maple syrup, which represents around 70 per cent of global production.

  • Quebec maple syrup revenues were more than $440 million; Canada's maple syrup revenues were $490 million.

  • Quebec's international exports of maple products totalled about 95 million pounds.

  • They were sent to over 60 countries and representing over $370 million in sales.

  • In this regard, Quebec's maple syrup producers expect to boost annual maple syrup sales to 185 million pounds per year until 2023.

  • The strategic maple syrup reserve is an important tool that ensures a steady and stable supply of maple syrup to meet market demand.

  • In March 2018, the reserve contained 96 million pounds of syrup.

  • In July 2017, federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) agriculture ministers reached an agreement in principle on key elements of the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, which represents a $3-billion FPT investment over five years. The Partnership, which will be launched on April 1, 2018, will create a strong foundation for the future of Canadian farmers and processors and continue to help them grow, innovate and prosper.

  • With this Partnership, producers will continue to have access to a robust suite of business risk management programs – helping them to manage major risks threatening their business sustainability and going beyond their management capacities. Some of the implemented changes, allowing for more equity among all producers, will be beneficial to maple syrup producers.

Associated links

Contacts

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay's Office
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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Christine Harvey
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
418-380-2525

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