The QMSP Story

we’ve come a long way…

The Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) story is, to some degree, the story of us. It includes the history of Québec and the story of Québec to come. And, as it is for all of us, a new chapter begins every spring and we write a new story…

To their sheer will and determination, maple producers added the belief that, together, they would achieve more. After years of struggle, debate, research, and bold innovation, they energized outlying regions economically and made Québec the world leader in maple syrup production. Where it was once unthinkable to make a living as a maple producer, 13,300 women and men now do so. QMSP has come a long way, and so has maple syrup. What we affectionately call our liquid gold is now known and loved in more than 70 countries.

Together since 1966

The Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) organization came into being in 1966 under the province’s trade union act, the Professional Syndicates Act. Affiliated with the farm producers’ association, the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA), it is active in 12 maple-producing regions across Québec.

The Joint marketing plan of 1990 introduced the maple industry to the modern era, and the new millennium brought with it the birth of 3 major developments:

 

  1. The Sales Agency
  2. The Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve
  3. Le Règlement sur le contingentement (Quota regulations)

milestones in the history of Québec maple production

1966

August 11: Founding meeting of Fédération des producteurs de sucre et de sirop d’érable du Québec under the terms of the Loi sur les syndicats professionnels.

October 12: First joint plan application filed with government’s ruling Board.

December 20: Authorization to incorporate the federation published in the government’s official Gazette.

1974

2nd joint plan for maple production refused by government’s ruling Board.

1975

The federation applies for affiliation with UPA.

1983

The federation adopts a new name: Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec (FPAQ), the Federation of Québec Maple Syrup Producers.

1984

The 3rd attempt at a joint plan fails when maple producers reject it in a referendum.

1989

84% of maple producers ratify a joint plan in a referendum on December 18, 19 and 20.

1990

February 28: the joint plan takes effect.

1991

FPAQ modernizes logo to go with new joint plan.

Former:                                                        New:

1992

The federation is forced into technical bankruptcy.

1994

Publication of first issue of Info-Sirop magazine.

1998

A minimum price for bulk maple syrup is set in the first marketing agreement.

2000

Creation of the Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve.

2002

The Maple Syrup Producers Sales Agency begins its work.

2004

The regulations on maple syrup production quotas come into effect.

2005

Maple syrup research projects begin.

2008

First maple syrup quota allocations after new regulations in 2004.

2010

Discovery of “Quebecol”, a molecule unique to maple syrup.

2012

FPAQ acquires plant-warehouse facility in Laurierville.

2013

Innovation: maple water beverage appears on consumer markets.

2016

Quota of 5 million taps issued.

2018

The federation changes its name to Producteurs et productrices acéricoles du Québec (PPAQ) to better reflect all its members, male and female.

A new corporate identity for Producteurs et productrices du Québec and its Érable du Québec brand.

2022

Construction of the third warehouse of the Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve, in Plessisville.

You can learn more about the history of maple production in Québec and a century of effort, sacrifice, and passion in the book Si l’érable m’était conté