Maple syrup producers gather for North American conference

Maple syrup producers, researchers and suppliers from across North America recently gathered in the Canadian state of Ontario for the 2026 North American Maple Syrup Council (NAMSC) Conference.

The event took place from Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd, October at the Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre. It was the first NAMSC conference to be held in Northern Ontario, and only the second time Canada has hosted it.

More than 300 participants attended the three-day programme, which featured tours of local maple operations, including one of the largest maple syrup producers in Ontario. Expert speakers covered topics including syrup quality, sap yield and sustainability, alongside a trade show of the latest production equipment.

The conference was delivered by the Rural Agri-Innovation Network, with support coming from the Algoma Maple Syrup Producers’ Association. Some $75,000 was contributed towards the event by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor).

Patty Hajdu, minister responsible for FedNor, said in a statement:

“Maple syrup isn’t just a Canadian staple – it’s part of who we are and a vital economic driver for our region and country. In a rapidly changing world, we’re focused on what we can control: building resilient local communities and supporting Canadian-made excellence.”

Ahead of the main conference, the International Grading School gave producers the chance to sharpen their skills in evaluating maple syrup quality. Grading is an important part of the industry. Syrup is classified by colour and taste, helping consumers choose the right option for their own tastes.