Maple Products (MAPL)

Detailed information for 2026

This survey collects data on the production and value of maple products.

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

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.

Statistical activity

The survey is administered as part of the Integrated Business Statistics Program (IBSP). The IBSP has been designed to integrate approximately 200 separate business surveys into a single master survey program. The IBSP aims at collecting industry and product detail at the provincial level while minimizing overlap between different survey questionnaires. The redesigned business survey questionnaires have a consistent look, structure, and content.

The integrated approach makes reporting easier for firms operating in different industries because they can provide similar information for each branch operation. This way they avoid having to respond to questionnaires that differ for each industry in terms of format, wording and even concepts. The combined results produce more coherent and accurate statistics on the economy.

• Additional documentation

Reference period: Calendar year

Collection period: May to November of reference 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 that meet Statistics Canada's definition of a farm. A farm is defined as an operation that produces at least one agricultural product and will report revenue and/or expenses for that agricultural production to the Canada Revenue Agency. Institutional farms and community farms are excluded from the target population.

While New Brunswick, Ontario and Nova Scotia are surveyed by Statistics Canada, Quebec data is provided through other sources.

For New Brunswick, Ontario and Nova Scotia, the observed population consists of establishments on Statistics Canada's Business Register that represent the target population. This frame of operations is derived using signals of agricultural activities on the latest set of tax declarations. To improve the overall coverage of this frame to the target population, information from additional sources including lists of special operations and survey feedback is used include establishments which report their fiscal data differently.

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.

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 is a sample survey with a cross-sectional design.

In New Brunswick, Ontario and Nova Scotia the data are collected through a one-stage stratified random sample survey of producers of maple products according to Statistics Canada's Business Register. Starting 2024, Nova Scotia was added to this sample. In prior years aggregated provincial data was received from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. In Quebec, aggregated provincial data is received from the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

For the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, 2025 reference year, administrative data are collected from the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: 2026-05-01 to 2026-10-30

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and extracted from administrative files.
Data are collected annually using an e-mail invitation to open, complete and submit an electronic questionnaire. If the questionnaire is not completed on-line by the deadline, the respondent will be contacted for a scheduled telephone interview.

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