About QMSP

About Québec Maple Syrup Producers

The PPAQ was founded in 1966 with the mission of defending and promoting the economic, social and moral interests of some 8,000 maple farms and 13,300 producers across Quebec. These men and women work together to establish quality standards as well as collectively market and promote their products. Quebec produces 90% of Canada’s maple syrup and nearly 72% of maple syrup production worldwide. Together, the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia contribute 10% to Canada’s production.

The PPAQ proudly promotes the brand Maple Products from Quebec, in addition to coordinating the promotion and value creation of Canadian maple products internationally on behalf of the Canadian maple industry. In this capacity, the PPAQ steers and coordinates the International Innovation Network on Maple Products from Canada.

Maple syrup has long been part of Canada’s cultural fabric. In 1676, a missionary named Chrestien Leclercq tells us that he witnessed the use of an iron cauldron by Native Americans and our ancestors to make maple sugar. It is because of this iron cauldron brought from France that our ancestors and the Native Americans learned together to make maple sugar.

Maple on the Tables of the World

Did you know that maple products from Quebec can be found in more than 50 nations?

Maple syrup has even travelled into space! And wherever it goes, our liquid gold is being appreciated for its unique taste and nutritional benefits.

In addition to promoting and marketing maple products in Quebec and Canada, the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP) does the same with its Maple from Quebec brand in five countries: United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan and India. Such a diversity of cultures, but they all come together in their love of Quebec maple!

Germany

The promotion and marketing of Canadian maple has just begun in Germany, but it’s already the second largest importer in the world. Consumers there have fallen for the delicious taste of maple but they’re even more impressed by its nutritional attributes. This is bolstered by maple’s fit in the vegan diet, which is quite common in this nation. There is little doubt that maple will appear on an increasing number of German family tables in the near future.

India

The profile of Canadian maple products is rising in India largely through the efforts of Manish Mehrotra and Vicky Ratnani, superstar chefs who have gone public with their love of maple. By promoting its possibilities and virtues in the kitchen and including it in so many of their recipes, maple syrup is finding its place among the famed spices of Indian cuisine.

Many Indians are also demonstrating a keen interest in the heritage of maple, how sap is harvested, and how maple syrup is made. They appreciate maple as the true gift of nature it is!

Japan

The Japanese people place value in food that is 100% pure and natural. This is the very definition of maple, which is why consumers in Japan view it as a very special product. They are particularly interested in maple’s nutritional value and all the possibilities of its benefits to human health. There are ongoing studies on the antioxidant properties of the polyphenols known to be present in maple syrup, the results of which are much-anticipated in Japan. Foods with such properties are desired for their anti-aging effects.

From the pleasure standpoint, the Land of the Rising Sun is now home to splendid maple pastries, cakes, and cookies of the most original shapes and flavors. Our Japanese friends love to give these as gourmet gifts, prepared and wrapped with great attention.

United Kingdom

It is an honour (on many levels) to say that the British people have, over the past few years, fallen in love with maple products from Québec. First, the numbers tell quite the story: exports to the UK grew by 36% from 2014 to 2015! Chefs and foodies have embraced maple as an “absolutely fabulous” ingredient. And in 2016, maple products became the subject of a five-month program at the College of Food of University College Birmingham (UCB), one of the UK’s largest educational institutions for the culinary arts. Furthermore, FPAQ became the first foreign organization to be named an associate member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA) in recognition of the unique character of maple from Québec.

And there’s even more! Maple has also arrived in British sport, as a product to be consumed before, during, and after athletic activity. Maple from Québec became the official energy source of the English women’s football club, the West Bromwich Albion Football Club Women & Girls Talent Club, and the official sponsor of Birmingham City Ladies Football Club Regional Talent Club.

The Science Behind Maple

Maple syrup is more than just delicious!

Researchers in Quebec and around the world are learning about its natural composition and potential benefits to human health.

These internationally-recognized researchers are part of a scientific network assembled by the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. Their work is expanding out knowledge of maple, thereby bringing it to the attention of more and more people around the world.

To date, QMSP has invested over $9 Million in some 100 research projects over 12 years. Acknowledged by the scientific community at large, they approach maple through disciplines as diverse as nutrigenomics, physiology, the chemistry of natural compounds, and life cycle analysis.