Reservations are going well, however, according to Boisé Sugar Shack owner Robert Dufresne.
Same story from Massicotte Sugar Shack co-owner Louis Massicotte, who mentions that rising costs aren’t stopping maple product lovers from attending. According to him, a price of $30 remains relatively reasonable for spending time with family and having a hearty meal.
Increasingly expensive production
Receiving people at the Sugar Shack is more expensive, but so is producing and marketing blond gold.
Some maple producers, like Éric Bouchard, owner of the Parcelles de Soleil maple grove in Hérouxville, have agreed to reduce their profit margins to keep their products accessible to consumers despite rising operating costs and prices.
The context is so difficult that it becomes complicated for the next generation to start a business.
According to Mr. Bouchard, who is also vice president of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, one of three new sugarbush projects may not see the light of day. In particular, the increase in the price of the material required for production would come into question.
Waiting for a master plan
The Quebec Maple Syrup Producers are awaiting a master plan from the Quebec government regarding the management of maple trees in the province’s public forests to ensure better management of production.
Several maple syrup producers lease portions of the public forests composed of maple trees from the provincial government and are responsible for the production and maintenance of their extent.
However, the same public forests are also used by the forest industry, which cuts down maple wood there to convert it into various goods such as furniture, flooring, etc.
According to Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, 20% of the province’s maple syrup comes from public forests. This association wants that percentage to grow to 30% in the next few years to support the growth of the maple industry in Quebec and abroad, which is quite significant.
The association therefore wants a mix of uses in these forests in order to obtain pruning and forestry regulations adapted to protect maple syrup production, since certain areas are much more favorable for it than others.
Specifically, maple syrup producers want to protect 200,000 hectares. This equates to 6% of the pruning industry’s needs per year, while this proportion represents the needs of maple producers over 60 years.
Based on information from Charles-Antoine Boulanger