Northern Ontario seen as promising spot for maple syrup industry growth

The North American Maple Syrup Council will hold its annual conference Oct. 21–23 in Sault Ste. Marie, the first time the event is hosted in Northern Ontario, and organizers expect more than 200 delegates to attend.

Maple syrup producers and sector partners from across North America will convene in Sault Ste. Marie Oct. 21–23 for the annual North American Maple Syrup Council conference. Organizers say this is the first time the council has held the event in Northern Ontario and describe the region as promising for maple sector growth. The conference is being organized with the Algoma Maple Syrup Producers Association and supported by the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre. Scheduled programming includes tours, speakers, a trade show and locally themed events. Key details: - Dates and place: Oct. 21–23 at the Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. - Hosts and support: North American Maple Syrup Council in conjunction with the Algoma Maple Syrup Producers Association and the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre. - Attendance: Organizers expect more than 200 delegates, including producers, researchers, equipment manufacturers, Indigenous producers, students, and agri-food leaders. - Activities: Planned events include local maple operation tours, a "Taste of Algoma" dinner, a series of speakers, and a trade show. - Industry context: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada reported that in 2024 Canada accounted for about 73% of world maple syrup production and the gross value of Canadian maple syrup was $837.3 million, a near 49% increase since 2020. Summary: The conference is intended to bring producers, researchers and industry partners together to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities in the maple sector. The event is scheduled for Oct. 21–23 in Sault Ste. Marie; outcomes and any longer-term effects on regional growth are undetermined at this time.