Pandemic-related product shortages aren’t new, but there’s a new one on the horizon up in Canada: a maple syrup shortage. Apparently, there were early signs back in June thanks to poor weather resulting in low yields in Vermont (America’s #1 syrup-producing state) and Quebec.
Fast forward to now, and our neighbors to the North are tapping into the ‘maple syrup reserves’ (yes, apparently those exist) as demand has outstripped supply. That’s according to the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, the association controlling over 70% of the world’s production (kind of like OPEC controls oil). Production has dropped 24% while demand remains the same and they have had to tap into 50-million pounds of syrup reserves to make up the difference. There are already plans to alleviate the situation as the group plans to add 7-million more tree taps.
"The pandemic helped in our case because we're seeing people cook more at home and use more local products," says spokeswoman Helene Normandin. "We need to produce more maple syrup… The reserve is there to make sure that we are always able to sell and offer this product."
Source:People