Maple Syrup is a Billion-Dollar Québec Industry

Study of the Economic Impact of Maple Syrup Production and Processing

Just after the Quebec election campaign was launched, Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) today released the results of an exclusive study that reveals the economic contribution generated by Québec maple syrup production to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020 rose to 979 million dollars.

The study was conducted by Maurice Doyon (professor and director of the Department of Agri-Food Economics and Consumer Sciences at Université Laval), Stéphane Bergeron, (research professional at Université Laval), and EcoTec Consultants. Their analysis also shows that the maple industry created and supported 10,878 full-time equivalent jobs and injected 200 million dollars into the coffers of the provincial and federal governments.

“Maple syrup is much more than a product that Québecers love. It enriches our regions through thousands of production and processing jobs, contributes to the economy, and generates significant revenues for governments. This study leaves no doubt that maple is an economic sector that deserves attention during the election campaign,” said QMSP President Luc Goulet.

The 2022 estimates are even more impressive. With a record harvest of 211 million pounds of syrup, maple production would represent 12,582 full-time equivalent jobs, contribute $1.133 Billion to the GDP, and generate $235 Million in tax revenue to Québec and Canada.

Maple Syrup: A Very Profitable Use of Public Forestland
The economic returns brought by the maple industry stand out in sharp relief to other activities, particularly logging. For example, according to QMSP’s calculations comparing the economic benefits of maple syrup to the logging industry on the same 100 hectares of public forest, maple production creates 16 times more jobs, 9 times more GDP growth, and 26 times more tax revenue than the cutting of hardwood trees.

“Public decision-makers are expected to maximize the economic and social benefits of the natural resources which belong to all Québecers. By choosing maple syrup production over logging on selected tracts of public forest, we will create more wealth, preserve biodiversity, and support the development of rural communities, while fostering proper cohabitation among the users of public lands,” added Mr. Goulet.

QMSP has amply demonstrated how the maple industry is growing rapidly and deserves the opportunity to develop further in the decades to come. “The ball is now in the court of the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs. They must commit immediately to the protection of 200,000 hectares of public forest and preserve Québec’s maple syrup potential by permitting a mix of usages. We call on the political parties to make their positions known on the issue in the campaign,” concluded Mr. Goulet, noting that QMSP’s demands represent no more than 6% of the logging industry’s stated needs for the next 60 years.

Based on production data from the industry and production costs calculated by the Centre d’études sur les coûts de production en agriculture (CECPA), the study estimated maple’s economic impact using simulations from the intersectoral model of the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ) and models developed by EcoTec Consultants. The production and processing of maple products and the restaurant sector (sugar shacks) were studied. The complete study may be found at the QMSP website.

About Québec Maple Syrup Producers and the Érable du Québec Brand

Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) represents the interests of 13,300 women and men and more than 8,000 enterprises that produce maple syrup. Québec provides an average 72% of the world’s maple syrup supply, exporting it to more than 70 countries.

QMSP.ca – @AcericoleQc
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