Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) chose its new storage facility in Plessisville to kick off the 2023 sugaring season with the slogan, “Québec’s Maple Syrup Industry: Prosperous and Sustainable.” This theme highlights the sector’s significant contributions to both environmental and economic health.

By launching in Plessisville, the organization emphasizes the importance of maple production to the regional economy. To inaugurate the newly built branch of the Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve, QMSP President Luc Goulet and General Manager Isabelle Lapointe were joined by Mayor Pierre Fortier, and the Member of Parliament for the riding of Mégantic-L’Érable, Luc Berthold, several maple producers, members of the media, and players from the Montréal Force women’s hockey team.

Said Mr. Goulet: “Maple syrup production is good for the environment, but also for the Québec economy. Our business activity sequesters 744,000 metric tonnes of carbon on an annual basis. That represents the removal of 222,000 vehicles from our roads each year. Beyond that, it produces the equivalent of 12,583 full-time jobs, while contributing $1 Billion to Canada’s and Québec’s GDP and generating $235 Million in tax revenues. Maple syrup is liquid gold in the regions.”

Plessisville Mayor Pierre Fortier, for the first time touring the site at its location in Germain-Massicotte industrial park, expressed enthusiasm on behalf of local citizens: “I would like to congratulate Québec Maple Syrup Producers upon the official opening of its new Strategic Reserve here in the ‘Maple Syrup Capital of the World’. And to thank you for adding brilliance to our beautiful community by choosing us to build on the future of the maple syrup industry.” The mayor went on to wish all Québec maple producers the very best of success in the 2023 season.

 

Raising a Glass (of Maple Syrup) to the New Warehouse

The official launch of sugaring season is traditionally marked by the tapping of a maple tree. On this special occasion, the symbolic gesture was replaced by the opening of a barrel of maple syrup from last year’s record-setting harvest. Glasses were raised in a toast to the new Strategic Reserve site and the 2023 season.

The Plessisville facility was built on time and within its $14 Million budget by Pépin Fortin Construction. With 104,000 square feet of capacity, the warehouse can now store up to 52 million pounds of maple syrup. Slightly lesser in floor space than the primary Reserve site in Laurierville, it can hold a greater supply because it does not accommodate pasteurization, grading, or barrel washing operations. Added with the Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly warehouse, the Global Strategic Reserve today has a total storage capacity of 133 million pounds. That’s 216,000 barrels. Or imagine 53 Olympic swimming pools, filled with maple syrup!

On the subject of athletics, players from the Montréal Force women’s hockey team were on hand for the festivities, treating attendees to an exhibition ball hockey game at the warehouse. The Force is Québec’s first-ever professional women’s hockey team — and hockey is Québec’s sport. That’s why Érable du Québec teamed up with the Force, as well as to communicate that maple is a natural source of energy containing vitamins and minerals. These nutritional values (along with its delicious taste) are why many athletes integrate maple into their daily diet regimens.

Press kit and photos of the event

 

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.

ppaq.ca – @AcericoleQc
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The Maple Economy and Statistics

 

Interview Requests:           

Joël Vaudeville

Director of Corporate Communications

514-603-0728

[email protected]