David Briggs calls this time of the year the crazy season.
Briggs is the co-owner of Briggs Maples in Hillsborough, N.B., and even though it’s the busiest time of the year, the threat of what U.S. tariffs could mean to the industry is on his mind, so he’s always keeping one eye on the news.
“It’s hard to miss, but yeah we are watching it because it’s very unpredictable right now,” said Briggs.
He believes tariffs will affect all producers in the Maritimes one way or another.
“We make maple syrup and tariffs on any of the equipment could go up. Not sure what’s going to happen, but it could be more expensive to make maple syrup if that’s what happens with the tariffs,” said Briggs.
The family-owned business brings in maple syrup they make and purchase from other local producers to manufacture a variety of products.
The maple goods are sold right out of their shop and distributed to other small businesses, but they don’t export to the United States.
However, Briggs Maple also sells maple equipment, bottles and supplies for other producers, and tariffs could have a big impact on that part of the business.
“We deal with equipment all the time and it’s going to affect the price on a daily basis,” said Briggs. “So if all of a sudden an evaporator costs $1,000 and then a tariff is on it, well that evaporator just went up 25 per cent, so it’s something we have to keep an eye on all the time for sure.”
According to the federal government, over 70 per cent of the world’s maple syrup production comes from Canada.
Close to 90 per cent of that production comes from Quebec.
New Brunswick makes just under five per cent while less than one per cent comes from Nova Scotia.
Anna Hutchinson is the co-owner of Hutchinson Acres and Hutchinson Maple Products in Aylesford, N.S., the largest certified maple syrup producer in the province.
Like Briggs Maple, they supply to large and small stores locally and ship internationally, but not down south.
“I don’t buy from the U.S., and I don’t ship to the U.S.,” said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson said U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs will have a big impact on producers and suppliers in Quebec, but not her.
“The only effect it’s going to have on our business has actually been positive,” said Hutchinson. “Our sales have dramatically gone up. The buy Canadian, buy local has been fantastic for us in the last month. There is not a negative to my business with those tariffs coming into play.”
Briggs thinks the Americans may purchase less maple products from Canada which could create a surplus here and affect the price.
“It’s early to tell I think, but it’s going to affect us in some way, shape or form,” said Briggs.
A glut of maple syrup is possible though, Hutchinson said.
“I think we can certainly look at other markets besides the U.S. if we have too much,” said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson thinks exporting into Europe more and looking for other countries to supply maple syrup should be a priority for Canadian producers.
“I don’t think we need them,” said Hutchinson. “I think we can certainly use more here in our own country, and I don’t see an issue if they never bought from us again.”
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