QUÉBEC CITY —Another whopper of a crop in Quebec this season.

Québec maple producers are celebrating another record-breaking year, but concerns about access to forestland and government policy cast a shadow over an otherwise strong annual meeting.

Delegates gathered May 26 for the annual meeting of the Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP), where leaders reported a 2026 crop totaling 229.5 million pounds of maple syrup and sales that continue to climb both at home and abroad.

“Demand for maple syrup continues to grow rapidly, both in Canada and around the world, with sales at record levels,” QMSP President Luc Goulet told producers.

Processors purchased 202 million pounds of syrup over the past year, including 181.3 million pounds destined for export markets. The sales generated approximately $844 million in revenue.

While the industry continues to expand, Goulet noted that rising production costs are putting pressure on producers. QMSP is currently seeking a price increase through renegotiation of its marketing agreement.

The meeting also marked the 35th anniversary of the province's Joint Plan, a system that coordinates production and marketing across the industry.

Over that period, annual sales have grown from 52.9 million pounds to more than 202 million pounds. Production efficiency has also improved dramatically, with average yields increasing from 2.3 pounds of syrup per tap in 2004 to more than 4 pounds per tap today.

Industry leaders credited those gains to investments in technology, infrastructure and forest management.

Expansion continued over the past year as QMSP issued permits for 7 million new taps. Of those, 4.9 million were installed on private land, helping launch 611 new maple operations and expand another 1,329 existing businesses.

An additional 2.1 million taps are planned for public forestlands beginning this year.

Despite the growth, much of the discussion at the annual meeting focused on uncertainty surrounding access to public forests.

Last year, QMSP reached a memorandum of understanding with Québec's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests that would have reserved 50,000 hectares of public forest for maple production over the next two decades.

According to the organization, that agreement was later undermined when approximately 1,000 hectares in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region were removed from the plan.

The issue has become a rallying point for producers, who launched a public awareness campaign during the meeting and adopted resolutions aimed at influencing debate ahead of upcoming provincial elections.

Beyond forest access, producers identified several challenges they expect to face in the coming years, including major transportation and hydroelectric projects, municipal taxation levels and continued funding for the industry's Strategic Reserve.

Industry leaders argue that stable government support will be necessary to sustain growth and protect against future supply shortages.

The Strategic Reserve, which stores syrup during large harvest years, remains a key tool for balancing supply and demand when production fluctuates.

Despite those concerns, industry officials pointed to strong fundamentals. Production records continue to fall, export markets are expanding and employment in the sector remains strong.

What producers say they need most is predictability — particularly when it comes to access to public lands and financial tools that can support long-term growth.

The meeting concluded with delegates re-electing Luc Goulet to a third two-year term as president of QMSP.

Goulet praised the industry's recent accomplishments but urged producers to remain engaged as policy debates continue.

“Our organization is strong, united and determined,” he said. “We will go forward with a common front because that is our strength—in numbers and in commitment.”

KEY POINTS

• Québec produced a record 229.5 million pounds of maple syrup in 2026.

• Processors purchased 202 million pounds, including 181.3 million pounds for export.

• Maple sales generated approximately $844 million over the past year.

• QMSP issued 7 million new taps and plans another 2.1 million on public land.

• Producers are seeking higher prices to offset rising costs.

• Access to public forestland remains a major concern ahead of provincial elections.

• Luc Goulet was re-elected to a third term as QMSP president.