Bulk Maple Syrup FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to the questions bulk maple syrup buyers actually ask — minimums, container loads, grades, pricing mechanics, documentation, and logistics.

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What is your minimum order quantity?

Our minimum order is 12 drums of 205 litres — approximately 2,460 litres or 7,380 lb of syrup. We supply bulk only: no retail bottles, no bottling or co-packing services.

How many drums fit in a shipping container?

A 20 ft container holds 78 drums (about 16,000 litres). A 40 ft container holds up to 160 drums (about 33,000 litres), subject to destination road-weight limits. Drums are palletized four per pallet.

What does a 205 L drum contain and weigh?

Each food-grade steel drum holds 205 litres — approximately 615 lb / 278 kg of syrup net. Drums are sealed, tamper-evident, and require no refrigeration.

Which maple syrup grade should I use for food manufacturing?

Canada Grade A comes in four colour classes measured by light transmittance at 560 nm: Golden (≥75%, delicate), Amber (50–74.9%, the most versatile for baking, sauces and beverages), Dark (25–49.9%, robust — preferred for manufacturing, BBQ and confectionery), and Very Dark (<25%, intense — industrial applications and extracts). A Processing Grade also exists for applications where appearance is not a factor.

How is bulk maple syrup priced in 2026?

Producer-level prices in Québec are set by a public marketing convention negotiated between producers (PPAQ) and authorized buyers — for 2025: $3.36/lb Golden, $3.33 Amber, $3.30 Dark, $2.90 Very Dark, plus an organic premium. Resale pricing adds grading, handling, certification, and logistics. We release our firm pricing under a mutual NDA; as a rule of thumb, Golden carries the highest premium and Very Dark is the most economical.

Why are Québec maple prices so stable?

Because they are negotiated by convention rather than set on a spot market, and because Québec operates the world's only strategic maple syrup reserve (133 million lb capacity) that buffers supply between harvests. The weighted producer price held within a $0.04 band from 2016 to 2021.

What is the typical lead time?

Typically 4 to 8 weeks from order confirmation to shipment, depending on grade, organic requirements, and volume. Rush arrangements may be possible — ask when you request your quote.

Which countries do you ship to?

We ship worldwide — Europe (EU and UK), Asia (Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia), the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, and the Americas. We quote CIF to your destination port or FOB Canadian port.

Is certified organic bulk maple syrup available?

Yes. More than half of Québec's bulk maple syrup is certified organic — 108 million lb delivered in 2025. Canadian organic certification is recognized under equivalency arrangements by the US (USDA NOP), the EU, and Japan (JAS). Kosher and halal documentation are available upon request.

What documentation comes with a shipment?

Every shipment includes a Certificate of Analysis, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, and Certificate of Origin, plus a phytosanitary certificate where required and organic certificates for organic lots. Every drum carries a unique lot code traceable to region, harvest season, and processing date.

How do I verify quality before committing?

Québec is the only jurisdiction in the world where bulk maple syrup is independently inspected — every barrel is graded by Centre ACER (taste, Brix, spectral authenticity testing, lead screening). You receive the COA for your lots, and independent inspection can be arranged on request before shipment.

Should I buy drums or IBC totes?

205 L drums are the industry standard: easiest to handle, resell, and allocate across production runs. 1,000 L IBC totes suit high-throughput operations that pump directly into processing. If you are unsure, start with drums — that is what the entire Québec system is built around.

What is the shelf life of bulk maple syrup?

Sealed drums keep 7+ years without refrigeration. Once opened, syrup should be used promptly or kept refrigerated. Note that graded syrup naturally darkens slightly in storage, which is why every lot ships with a recent inspection date.

What are your payment terms?

Payment by SWIFT bank transfer before shipment. Volume programs and repeat-buyer arrangements can be discussed once a trading relationship is established.

What is a PPAQ Authorized Buyer, and why does it matter?

In Québec's regulated system, only the producer federation (PPAQ) and its authorized buyers may legally receive and store bulk maple syrup. Authorized buyers maintain a Québec warehouse, insurance, and financial guarantees. Maple Syrup From Canada is a PPAQ Authorized Buyer — meaning you are buying graded, inspected, fully traceable syrup inside the regulated system.

Do you sell retail bottles or private-label finished products?

No. We supply bulk ingredients only — 205 L drums and 1,000 L totes for food and beverage manufacturers, bottlers, and importers. If you bottle or co-pack, we supply the bulk syrup; the packaging operation is yours.

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