Canadian maple syrup production down 22% in 2018

Statistics Canada says maple syrup production fell by 21.7% to 44.5 million litres in 2018, the lowest level in three years.

Production was down in every syrup-producing province except Nova Scotia and Ontario, which saw output rise 9.4% to 2.1 million litres, the most since 2011.

Quebec produced 40.4 million litres, down 22.4% from 2017 due to unusually late snow and cold, while New Brunswick output fell 34.5% to 1.6 million litres.

The total value of Canadian maple products decreased 22% to $384.4 million, with the price of syrup remaining relatively unchanged at $39.24 per gallon.

The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers tapped its strategic reserves this year to avoid wild price swings or supply shortages.

Quebec produces about 72% of the world's maple syrup, with the rest of Canada producing 8% and the United States producing 20%.