Maple Products (MAPL)

Detailed information for 2012

This survey is to provide reliable estimates of Canadian production of maple products.

Data release - December 14, 2012

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology
• Data accuracy

Description

This survey collects data to provide estimates of production and value of maple products in Canada. The data are used by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, other government departments and provincial governments as well as producer's organizations. This information assists in the administration of agricultural policies, production and price analysis and economic research.

Reference period: Calendar year

Subjects

• Agriculture and food (formerly Agriculture)
• Crops and horticulture

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population is producers of maple products in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Instrument design

The questionnaire was developed by subject matter specialists through consultation with the provinces and industry experts. New questions are not pre-tested in the field. However, testing is conducted in-house for flow and consistency. Questions will be changed, added or removed as the need arises. Required changes are usually identified through such means as subject matter specialist research, changes in market trends and field staff debriefing reports.

Sampling

This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design.

Data are collected for all units of the target population, therefore, no sampling is done.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: 2012-06-16 to 2012-10-11

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files.

Production and value data are collected directly from respondents in Ontario and New Brunswick through a mailed survey questionnaire in the fall of each year.

In Quebec, these tasks are performed by l'Institut de la statistique du Québec. Quebec conducts its own survey and provides Statistics Canada with timely aggregate data. Data collection for Quebec takes the form of a Census-type mail-in survey originating at l'Institut de la statistique du Québec. Data, received by the Institut, are edited for correctness and tables are compiled. Volume of syrup destined for processing is obtained from administrative data compiled by the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec. The value of processed syrup is obtained through a separate survey of processors.

Instead of a survey, administrative data is collected for all producers of maple products in Nova Scotia by Statistics Canada.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

Error detection

Questionnaires for New Brunswick and Ontario received by Statistics Canada are manually scanned for inconsistencies upon receipt. There is a system of electronic edits designed to detect data inconsistencies. Significant data inconsistencies are followed-up and verified by telephone. Statistics Canada revises their portion of the data only when significant outliers are received subsequent to the compilation of the data.

Imputation

Data are imputed for survey non-responses from maple farmers as well as those questionnaires that are partially completed. Data are usually imputed based on previous year's data or on industry information. Occasionally, data from similar sized farms may be used. Data are revised when actual data are received.

Estimation

The New Brunswick and Ontario data are weighted using the number of taps made on Maple trees as reported on the most recent census.

Yield and production data for Quebec are weighted using a formula compiled using the previous year's taps as a base. The value is established using the average price declared by the producers.

Quality evaluation

The resultant tabulations are compared to previous years and the most recent census. Significant variations are identified, analysed and corrected.

L'Institut de la statistique du Québec compares the tabulations to administrative data compiled by the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

Revisions and seasonal adjustment

Statistics Canada revises their portion of the data only when significant outliers are received subsequent to the compilation of the data. Each year during provincial consultation with Québec, their previous year's data is reviewed and revised if deemed necessary.

Data accuracy

The Maple Products Survey in New Brunswick and Ontario obtains a response rate of approximately 20% of respondents, accounting for about 80% of maple syrup production in these provinces. A lower response rate is expected when using a mail-out /mail-back methodology. Any anomalies or inconsistencies detected with survey and administrative data are verified with the source, and where necessary, adjustments are made. Québec's maple syrup production value represents approximately 93% of Canada's total production. Québec provides administrative data which is judged to be of very good quality, even in those circumstances where adjustments have been made.