The Big Log Saga: Full Version

A record-breaking season for many maple syrup producers

The 2024 maple season will go down in history for the Canadian maple syrup industry. After a 2023 marked by challenging weather conditions and disappointing harvests, producers across the country experienced a return to normal, and even better. With a production of 19.9 million gallons of maple syrup in Canada, representing an impressive 91.3% increase, the 2024 season stands out as a turning point for the sector.

At the heart of this production, Québec, the world leader in maple production, alone generated 18 million gallons of syrup, reaching an average of 4.47 pounds per tap. This remarkable performance, supported by favorable weather and an increase in taps, helped replenish the Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve, whose critical levels had been a concern for the industry since 2023. For producers, this harvest brings a wave of optimism, despite ongoing financial pressure due to rising input costs, interest rates, and the financing of unsold inventory.

Other producing provinces also saw positive results: Ontario experienced nearly a 21% increase, New Brunswick doubled its production, and Nova Scotia also recorded significant growth. These figures are especially encouraging as global demand for maple products continues to rise, with exports up 8.8% over the first three quarters of the year.

While the industry celebrates this abundance, several structural challenges remain at the forefront: sustainable sugarbush management, public forest protection, modernization of sugaring equipment, and adaptation to climate change. In this context, high-performance maple equipment, efficient tubing systems, stainless steel syrup tanks, and well-calibrated evaporators are essential tools to ensure stable, high-quality production.

References:

Statistics Canada, Maple Products, 2024. The Daily, December 12, 2024.
Producteurs et productrices acéricoles du Québec (PPAQ), A record harvest of 239 million pounds of maple syrup, press release, December 12, 2024
Statistics Canada, International merchandise trade by product, 2024 data, first three quarters.

COMBUSTION EXPERTS

Filmed during a beautiful snowstorm in March 2023, featuring Sébastien Boissonneault, LS Bilodeau representative and distributor at Équipements T.B., alongside François Vigneault, a “horseman” who developed an uncommon technique combining the traditional use of horses for installing the mainline network of Érablière Tanguay et Filles.

The horseback maple operation: a truly unique mainline installation
This video series takes you to the heart of a maple sap collection network installation unlike any other. Shot during a snowstorm in March 2023, it documents the unrolling of mainlines and wire using an uncommon method with major advantages: horseback installation. Yes, surprising, but efficient and perfectly suited to difficult terrain.

Our Most Popular Big Logs Video

VIDEO

We even made the local news

As always, we’re happy to share our adventures on social media (Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram). Building on last year’s success, we once again showcased our “big log” feats (stick to small ones at home if you're not a pro).
Our distributor in Lanaudière and Mauricie, Alexis Clavet from Érablière C.G., took advantage of the fact that he had the exact same Extrem evaporator as us to craft the biggest log possible, custom-made for the unit — and while he was at it, he made a twin version to challenge us!

The saga sparked a lot of interest on social media and even earned TWO features in the news section of the quirky site Le Sac de Chips, under the “incredible” category.