The Maple Industry: Tapping Tradition and Innovation

A Tradition That Runs Deep

The majority of the world's maple syrup is produced in Canada. Québec alone is responsible for over 70 percent of the world's supply. But long before Canada was famous for maple, Indigenous peoples were already tapping the sap from sugar maple trees. They used it as a food source and also as medicine, learning to tap the trees in the brief spring season.

Today, the fundamentals are no different. Sap is tapped from trees and boiled until it reaches syrup consistency. It takes around 40 liters of sap to produce one liter of syrup, which indicates how much effort and care goes into each bottle. Hence, maple syrup is usually considered as a specialty product rather than a regular sweetener.

Where Maple Syrup Comes From

Canada might take the lead, but the United States also has a significant role in the maple universe. Vermont, New York, and Maine are just a few states that have been syrup famous for a long time. Most of the farms there are family-run and have passed down skills generation by generation.

Other parts of the world are catching up. Ontario and New Brunswick in Canada, for instance, have begun tapping maple trees as well. Some of them are small-scale producers, but others are adopting new technology to enhance production.

A Changing Industry

The maple industry is growing, but it’s also changing. More people are looking for natural sweeteners, and maple syrup fits that demand. You’ll now find it used in more than just breakfast food. Chefs are using it in sauces, marinades, cocktails, and desserts. Some wellness brands even include it in their products for its natural origin and trace minerals.

There is also strong pressure to sustainability. Manufacturers are discovering new measures to handle forest management in an environmentally friendly manner, minimize wastage, and optimize energy use in the process of boiling sap. Climate change is an issue, however. Rising winters and unstable spring climate can complicate the process of sap collection in the correct amounts.

What's Coming Next?

The maple business is at an interesting juncture. There's more demand than ever before, and new areas are entering production. Meanwhile, old traditions are also being maintained. The equipment may appear different now, but the bond to the trees and the land is just as solid.

So the next time you pour maple syrup on your breakfast or notice it as an ingredient in a recipe, you'll know there's a lot more behind that golden bottle. It's a mix of nature, culture, and relentless attention, and it's one of food's sweetest stories now.

Barred Woods Maple

Company Name – Barred Woods Maple
Headquarters – Northern Vermont, USA
Core Products – Pure Organic Vermont maple syrup and maple-based products

Barred Woods Maple is all about passion, community, and stewardship. Nestled in nearly 1,500 acres of pristine hardwood forest in Northern Vermont, this small but mighty team crafts some of the finest maple syrup nature has to offer.

Born from a friendship and a chance encounter with a wise old barred owl named Emma, the brand blends tradition with a deep respect for the land. From sustainably managing their sugarbush to partnering with conservation groups like Vermont Audubon and the American Carbon Registry, they’re committed to both flavor and the forest.

Whether you're drizzling it on pancakes or gifting a taste of Vermont, Barred Woods delivers syrup that’s rich, pure, and rooted in purpose.

Cofradex

Company Name – Cofradex
Headquarters – Copenhagen, Denmark
Core Products – Organic and conventional pure Canadian maple syrup, organic agave syrup

Cofradex has been sweetening shelves since 1972 with top-tier maple syrup sourced straight from Canadian forests. Working closely with their sister company MicMac Inc. in Québec, they bottle both organic and conventional maple syrup in Denmark for markets across the EU and beyond.

Every drop tells a story, rooted in centuries-old Mic Mac traditions and filtered through modern quality standards (think IFS, BRC, Kosher, and Organic certifications).

Whether it’s premium retail packaging or large-scale catering formats, Cofradex delivers maple magic with high food safety and competitive pricing. Their name might nod to Vermont, but the soul of their syrup is 100% Canadian forest gold.

With nearly five decades of experience bridging continents through food, Cofradex brings together North American purity and European efficiency. By packaging in Denmark using European materials, they ensure rapid distribution and minimal environmental impact thanks to bulk transatlantic shipping and a lean, eco-conscious approach.

Beyond maple syrup, Cofradex also offers organic agave syrup and is trusted by both Horeca professionals and major retail chains looking for authentic, responsibly sourced sweetness.

MapleFarm

Company Name – MapleFarm
Headquarters – Italy
Core Products – Canadian maple syrup

MapleFarm brings the pure taste of Canadian maple syrup straight from the forests of Québec to kitchens across Europe. A brand of Alpes, which has been crafting and sourcing specialty foods since 1959, MapleFarm is built on a love for Canada’s rich flavors and traditions.

Their award-winning syrup is 100% pure, organically certified, and bottled at the source, free from colorants, preservatives, or added sugars. Loved by top chefs and home cooks alike, it’s a natural choice for anyone looking to add wholesome sweetness to their meals.

Monthly imports ensure peak freshness, while every stage of production is carefully monitored for quality and food safety both in Canada and Italy.

MapleFarm is more than syrup. It's a celebration of nature, tradition, and the joy of simple, honest flavor.