2018 is a Poor Season Compared to Previous Years, According to Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

This spring, Quebec's 13,700 maple producers harvested 118 million pounds of maple syrup using 46.8 million taps, for an average yield of 2.52 pounds per tap, which is low in comparison to previous years. Image: Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers

LONGUEUIL, QC -- This spring, Quebec's 13,700 maple producers harvested 118 million pounds of maple syrup using 46.8 million taps, for an average yield of 2.52 pounds per tap, which is low in comparison to previous years. Most of this production (89%) is for bulk sale. The rest will be sold on the retail market. In the record year of 2017, Quebec maple producers supplied 152.2 million pounds of maple syrup.

Also read, Savour the Flavour of Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival.

Wide production variations from one region to another in 2018 
What marked the 2018 sugar season the most were productivity disparities from one region to another. In the western part of the province, Montérégie and Centre-du-Québec had a very good, if not excellent season. However in the east, maple producers in Bas-Saint-Laurent/Gaspésie struggled with below-average production levels. This was the result of a late spring, very cold weather, and abundant snow. The average production of 2.52 pounds per tap is considered low. Despite the 2.5 million taps added in Quebec in recent years, Québec produced 34 million fewer pounds than last year, an excellent qualified year. 

The world strategic maple syrup reserve, there for nature's vagaries
As the table above illustrates, maple syrup harvests can vary greatly from one year to the next. Considering Quebec's low 2018 yield, the strategic maple syrup reserve will serve its purpose this year. It makes sure that fluctuations in annual production levels don't cause maple syrup prices to swing wildly. It also guarantees consumers won't run out of maple syrup or have to pay more for the syrup they do buy. 

SOURCE Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers