Quebec’s maple syrup industry is anxious about potential tariffs from Trump that could hurt sales and profits significantly.
Joël Vaudeville, who speaks for the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, mentioned that their 13,500 members are bracing for a drop in sales. If the prices go up in the U.S., will Americans still want to buy their syrup? Last year, the U.S. bought a whopping $368 million worth of it, so this is a big deal.
He pointed out that exports to the U.S. made up 55% of Quebec’s total syrup production. That’s a huge chunk! Quebec is responsible for nearly three-quarters of the world’s maple syrup, and the areas east of Montreal could be hit the hardest if these tariffs kick in.
Vaudeville said it’s still early to tell how they’ll react. They might look to sell their syrup in other markets like Europe and Asia. Or, they could ask the provincial government to buy up some syrup to keep in reserve until this “Trump storm” blows over. It’s a tough situation for them, and they’re hoping for the best.
