“Maple syrup is just about as Canadian as you can get,” –Chris Hutchinson, co-owner of Hutchinson Acres, the largest certified organic maple syrup producer in Nova Scotia.
Maple syrup, and of course the Maple Leaf, are signature symbols of Canada and Canadian culture.
As trade disputes between the U.S. and Canada endure, maple syrup has become a political statement that reflects the beliefs and values of other countries.
Maple syrup exports on the rise
Canadian maple syrup exports are noticeably trending upward. In 2025, maple syrup exports generated $844.2 million, 17.2% more than in 2024 (StatsCan).
Canadian maple products were exported to 69 different countries:
- 64.2% to the U.S.
- 7.2% to Germany
- 4.9% to the U.K.
- 4.5% to Australia
- 4.0% to France
- 3.1% to Japan
The remaining 12.0% of total export volumes were distributed to other export destinations.
Meet Hutchinson Acres
Hutchinson Acres is Nova Scotia’s largest producer of maple syrup. It’s the province’s dominant international maple syrup partner, producing 0.2% of all Canadian maple syrup in 2025.
Quebec remains is Canada’s leading province, having produced 90% of it the same year.
In recent times, Hutchinson Acres has seen a significant increase in international and domestic sales.
Chis Hutchinson told CBC that international interest typically jumps anytime the Canada-U.S. trade disputes are a hot media topic.
“Normally we wouldn’t be shipping many containers out this time of year. We’ve got three containers we’re trying to get out in the next month and a half. And it’s all going overseas,” he said.
In Hutchinson’s experience, Canadians have expressed a greater desire to support local businesses and quintessential Canadian maple syrup is alluring to international tourists.
An elevated alternative
Chris Hutchinson also explain that some international buyers seek maple syrup because it’s a natural sweetener.
His customers from countries like the Netherlands, Costa Rica and Saudi Arabia opt for maple syrup over more commonly used processed sugars.
“People are being more concerned about what they put in their bodies. A big thing in Saudi Arabia is their coffee: now they want to put maple syrup in as a sweetener,” he said.
Rob Ward, the co-founder of Pure Maple, has noticed similar trends. Pure Maple distributes Canadian maple syrup to the United Kingdom.
He told CBC: “Consumers have taken on maple syrup in a good way. If I were to sum it up, there’s a fondness towards Canada and a real appetite towards Canadian maple syrup.”
UK consumers are also using maple syrup as an alternative sweetener to refined sugars.
In contrast to Hutchinson Acres, Ward hasn’t noticed a surge in demand connected to headlines about trade conflict.
He views the UK and Canada as cousins, contributing to a kindred sense of loyalty and connection.
Consumer’s choice
The Maple Store is another Canadian maple syrup distributor that caters to Europe. It’s founder, Philippe Coley, has also seen an increase in demand for Canadian maple products.
Whenever Canada-U.S. trade talks hit the news, his customers become more concerned about place of origin:
“Origin has become something our customers actively look for. People are not just buying maple syrup anymore, they are buying Canadian maple syrup, and they tell us that is why.”
At the same time, The Maple Store still sells products from Vermont. European customers see the state in a more flattering light than the rest of the U.S., due it’s association with Senator Bernie Sanders.
Food for thought
The increased demand for Canadian maple products in other parts of the world reflect how symbolic our relationship to food is.
What we choose to eat is a key marker of identity, whether it be for political or health reasons.
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