There are few commodities more Canadian than maple syrup - and fewer still that are more pervasive originating from Canada worldwide. Statistics Canada says that last year, nearly $80.4-million in worldwide maple syrup sales was generated here in Canada.
Ray Bonenberg is a Sugar Maker with Mapleside Sugar Bush in Ontario. He is also on the board of directors for the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, as well as a member of the International Maple Syrup Institute.
He says it’s a bit too early to tell what this season is going to look like, but the well-above-average snowfall in Ontario this winter means the season will be later than usual. This does not necessarily mean that the overall annual amount produced will be affected.
Maple trees are subject to Mother Nature’s will and will respond accordingly, says Bonenberg.
Most of the syrup from Ontario and Quebec will be produced in April, says Bonenberg, despite it being a tough winter.
Bonenberg expects that the yield this year will be comparable to most previous years, which means that the cost of the product at checkout should remain fairly stable.
(Written By: Richard Evans)