12 Young Entrepreneurs are Québec’s Newest Maple Producers
Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) assigned quotas for more than 80,000 taps this morning, under its Young Entrepreneur Program. Conducted by lottery, 12 aspiring maple producers under the age of 40—out of 342 eligible applications from across Québec—saw their number come up, opening the door to their future.
Program applicants watched the virtual draw live on Facebook. When the momentous event was over, 80,270 taps had been allocated to a dozen overjoyed winners. Once again this year, the draw was supervised by the accounting firm Blain Joyal Charbonneau S.E.N.C.R.L., in the person of Mr. Bobby Lim, CPA Auditor, CA.
An Infusion of Youth
“If we want to see maple production go on for another 100 years in Québec, we have to make room for the next generation. This annual quota allocation brings young entrepreneurs into our industry, and our organization will do everything it can to support them, from start-up assistance to knowledge transmission,” declared QMSP president Serge Beaulieu.
Each year, under regulation of the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaire du Québec (RMAAQ), QMSP assigns quotas for 40,000 taps to people with the desire and a plan to become maple producers. Due to the pandemic, no taps were made available last year. The 2020 allocation was rolled over into this year for a double dose of new blood. Since 2016, the Young Entrepreneur Program has awarded 260,615 taps to 37 new enterprises.
Another 7 Million Taps to Meet Demand
This draw is a prelude to 7 million more taps to be issued in time for the 2022 production year. In fact, the allocation is more than double what was thought needed just two months ago. With maple syrup sales and exports rising steadily, the Board of Directors decided in July to boost this year’s offering by 4 million taps to meet projections of demand. As soon as RMAAQ renders its final decision on new regulations, QMSP will make application forms available to producers. Allocation of these 7 million new taps is scheduled for December.
About Québec Maple Syrup Producers and the Érable du Québec brand
Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) represents the interests of 11,300 men and women who proudly produce maple syrup, a true emblem of Québec culture. By investing in research, innovation, promotion, and market development, QMSP enacts its mission of developing the production and sales of Québec maple products to their full potential at home and abroad. Québec accounts for an average 72% of the world’s maple syrup supply, allowing the people of some 60 nations to enjoy the unique taste of this eco-friendly, renewable product.
Photo Gallery
Maple Industry Financials and Statistics