What's happened
Canada's maple syrup reserve in Quebec has hit a 16-year low, with only 6.9 million pounds of syrup available in 2023, down from the usual 133 million pounds. Meanwhile, Stockton University in New Jersey is investing a $1 million grant to research the feasibility of a maple syrup industry in the state, utilizing red maple trees with lower sugar content.
Why it matters
The decline in Canada's maple syrup reserve raises concerns about the impact of climate change on the global maple syrup industry. Stockton University's research in New Jersey could potentially diversify the maple syrup market and provide new economic opportunities in the region.
What the papers say
The Quebec Maple Syrup Producers assure consumers that the current reserve levels will not affect availability or prices. Stockton University's Maple Project aims to overcome challenges posed by the lower sugar content of red maples in New Jersey, using modern technologies to boost production.
How we got here
Canada's maple syrup industry, primarily based in Quebec, accounts for 75% of global production. The strategic reserve was established 24 years ago to stabilize supply and prices. Stockton University's research in New Jersey aims to tap into the potential of red maple trees in the region, which have lower sugar content than traditional sugar maples.
More on these topics
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New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware River and Pennsylvania;