Feds invest in maple syrup industry

The federal government has announced an investment of up to $110,260 in the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec (FPAQ). The funds will go towards helping strengthen maple syrup traceability from the farm through to processing.

With the funding the FPAQ will examine the feasibility of using RFID chips to track maple syrup barrels, allowing for better readability, identification and movement control of product. The association says these changes will also improve the ability to store and monitor syrup quality.

“Given the numerous stakeholders involved in the management of bulk syrup sales in Quebec, this project will result in better follow-up of sales for the 160,000 to 225,000 barrels of bulk maple syrup that are marketed each year in Quebec,” says Serge Beaulieu, president of FPAQ. “Automating the traceability of every barrel will facilitate this important management step for the sales agency.”