Ontario’s 2015 Agri-Food Trade Mission to China (happening this week) is yielding a new business agreement for one of the province’s most iconic edible exports, maple syrup and maple products, says the government of Ontario.
Agriculture minister Jeff Leal and minister of international trade Michael Chan recently met with representatives from Ontario’s Futurevic Global Sourcing and China’s Shijiazhuang Junlebao Dairy Company. The two companies have committed to purchasing $2 million worth of Ontario maple products over the next two years. In 2014, Ontario’s total global exports of maple products totalled $1.9 million.
“Maple syrup is one of our province’s oldest traditional agricultural products and we are proud to share this delicious product with the world. This agreement will help open new doors for the sector, building up new markets for Ontario maple syrup and maple products,” says Jeff Leal, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The agreement will help build the overseas appetite for Ontario maple syrup and maple products, says the government. Products include maple butter, taffy, candy, sauces and maple sap drinks.
Did you know?
- In Ontario, maple syrup is produced primarily between mid- February and early April, from the sap of four species of maple tree. During Ontario’s harvest season, more than 1.5 million litres of syrup is made.
- Ontario is one of the top three producing areas in Canada, with more than $25 million in farm gates sales of maple products.
- It takes about 40 litres of maple sap to make 1 litre of maple syrup.
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