Canadian maple syrup producer confirms international demand

The co-owner of a leading organic maple syrup producer in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia has given his verdict on the growing global market for the product.

Chris Hutchinson operates Hutchinson Acres in the breathtaking Annapolis Valley. In the wake of a report published by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – the Statistical Overview of the Canadian Maple Industry, 2025 – the businessman was asked about figures which showed an upsurge in maple syrup exports from Canada.

The report showed that exports of maple syrup from Canada were up 17.2 per cent in 2025 from the previous years, reaching $844.2 million (£635.1 million).

Now Hutchinson has given the ‘inside track’ to the CBC media platform, and indicated that from what he has seen, the trend will remain strong through 2026:

“Normally we wouldn’t be shipping many containers out this time of year. We’ve got three containers we’re trying to get out in the next month and a half. And it’s all going overseas.”

Hutchinson went on to highlight the growing popularity of maple syrup as a natural alternative to refined sugar.

Nova Scotia is a small contributor to the maple syrup industry compared to other Canadian provinces, accounting for just 0.2% of maple syrup produced annually. However, its small-batch, artisanal product has its own appeal.

Research shows that Nova Scotia maple syrup contains at least 13 distinct phenolic compounds in higher concentrations, compared to syrup from other North American regions. This composition brings with it a distinct, complex flavour, owing to high levels of vanillic acid, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl aldehyde.