• Analysis and Studies
• Maple syrup: import and export

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that origins from the sap of sugar maple trees, mostly produced in Canada and parts of the northeastern United States. Production happens in early spring when temperatures fluctuate between freezing and thawing, allowing sap to flow, and the sap collection begins with tapping trees to extract sap, which contains around 2-4% sugar and is mostly water. It takes about 40 gallons of sap boiled down to make one gallon of maple syrup, and the sap is boiled in sugar houses, reducing it to syrup as the water evaporates, thickening and caramelizing the sugars for its characteristic amber color and flavor.

Maple syrup is graded by color and flavor intensity, ranging from light "Golden" to rich "Very Dark”: these grades depend on when in the season the sap is collected, with lighter syrup at the season's start and darker, bolder syrups produced later. As well as its unique flavor, maple syrup also provides some nutritional benefits, since contains trace minerals like manganese, zinc, and potassium, even though it is still a high-sugar product and must be enjoyed in moderation.

Maple syrup is not only used as topping, but also as an ingredient in cooking, baking, and even beverages: maple sugar, butter, and water underscore the maple tree’s versatility and the unique sweetness it offers to a wide range of culinary uses.

In 2022, maple syrup was the world's 2810th most traded product, with a total trade of $562M, and between 2021 and 2022 the exports decreased by -1.86%, from $573M to $562M.

In 2022 the most significant exporter was Canada, with a trade of $477M, ahead of United States ($30M), Netherlands ($11M), Germany ($9.77M), and France ($8.78M). Whereas the country which imported maple syrup the most was the United States, with a trade of $293M, followed by Germany ($48.7M), United Kingdom ($27.6M), France ($26.5M), and Japan ($25.1M).

Maple syrup export portfolios showcase Canada's clear dominance (accounting for 84.8%), while countries like the United States, Netherlands, Germany, and France use regional trade networks to remain competitive globally.

Canada’s exports span multiple continents, reflecting the rising international demand, as maple syrup's appeal grows beyond traditional markets in North America and Europe, reaching into Asia and the Middle East. This shift highlights the increasing global interest in maple syrup across various regions.

1. Canada (84.8%): 61.5% United States, 9.33% Germany, 5.06% France, 5.03% United Kingdom, 4.66% Japan, 4.25% Australia, 1.57% South Korea, 1.48% Denmark
2. United States (5.35%): 39% Canada, 13.7% Mexico, 9.52% Japan, 2.45% United Arab Emirates, 1.97% New Zealand, 1.86% Denmark, 1.78% South Korea72% Australia, 1.64% Guatemala
3. Netherlands (1.96%): 18.1% Germany, 12.3% Poland, 12.3% United Kingdom, 12% France, 9.69% Belgium, 7.3% Italy,74% Czechia, 4.47% Ireland, 1.95% Austria
4. Germany (1.74%): 29.1% Austria, 13% Netherlands,3% Switzerland, 9.01% Italy, 7.89% Poland, 5.19% Ireland, 2.98% Belgium, 1.55% France
5. France (1.56%): 15.4% Germany, 11.1% Belgium, 10.2% Spain, 8.38% Netherlands, 7.56% Poland, 6.2% Czechia, 6.17% Italy, 3.58% United Arab Emirates, 2.98% Qatar, 2.26% Switzerland, 1.76% United Kingdom, 1.56% Indonesia

The graphic shows the global reliance on Canada for maple syrup, while also reflecting some regional sourcing preferences, with major importers like the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan sourcing the majority of their supply from Canada.

While most countries depend heavily on Canadian exports, there is some regional diversification, particularly in Europe, where countries like Germany and the United Kingdom also import small amounts from neighboring nations like the Netherlands and Denmark. Japan, meanwhile, supplements its Canadian imports with a significant portion from the United States. 

1. United States (51.2%): 99.9% Canada
2. Germany (8.66%): 91.3% Canada, 4.11% Netherlands, 2.78% France
3. United Kingdom (4.92%): 86.7% Canada, 4.89% Netherlands, 4.81% Denmark, 1.29% United States
4. France (4.72%): 91% Canada, 4.98% Netherlands, 1% Chinese Taipei, 0.97% Ecuador, 0.57% Germany
5. Japan (4.46%): 88.6% Canada, 11.4% United States

Between 2021 and 2022, the country with the fastest growth in exports was the United States, with an increase of $2.95M, followed by Canada ($2.43M), France ($643k), Belgium ($468k), and Brazil ($460k).

1. United States: from $27.1M to $30M
2. Canada: from $474M to $477M
3. France: from $8.14M to $8.78M
4. Belgium: from $1.01M to $1.48M
5. Brazil: from $42.4k to 502k

The United States was also the fastest growing importer, with an increase of $14.7M, ahead of Canada ($4.5M), Germany ($773k), Venezuela ($494k), and Netherlands ($434k).

1. United States: from $278M to $293M
2. Canada: from $7.45M to $11.9M
3. Germany: from $47.9M to $48.7M
4. Venezuela: from $0 to $494k
5. Netherlands: from $7.98M to $8.41M

Sources: