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Press Release – for immediate release

The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers unveils its new factory warehouse— home of the Global Strategic Maple Reserve

Tens of millions of pounds of maple syrup will be processed and stored in the 235,000-square-foot building

Longueuil, October 18, 2013 – Today, the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers (FPAQ) officially opened its new factory warehouse for the Global Strategic Maple Reserve, a facility found nowhere else in the world. The Reserve enables maple producers to better mitigate the risks brought about by adverse weather conditions. The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Deputy Premier of Quebec, François Gendron, was present for the unveiling along with Sylvie Roy, MNA for Arthabaska, and the Mayor of Laurierville, Marc Simoneau. Members of the Conseil de l’industrie de l’érable, the association representing all bulk maple syrup purchasers, were also in attendance. Located in Laurierville, in the RCM de l'Érable, Centre-du-Québec, this 235,000-square-foot warehouse is used to receive, pasteurize and store the tens of millions of pounds of maple syrup that make up the global Reserve. Thanks to the Reserve, consumers everywhere can count on a steady supply of maple products with stable prices, regardless of what Mother Nature has in store. Three quarters of global maple syrup production comes from this region Generating 75% of global maple syrup output alone, Quebec exports about 90% of what it produces. This represents annual farm revenues of $250 million and more than 10,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Maple syrup production has long been considered an artisan's trade, but contributes around three quarters of a billion dollars to Canada's GDP and generates tax revenues of $186 million. When full, this old furniture factory will receive up to 80 million pounds of syrup, which represents 190,000 barrels of 32 gallons each, or the equivalent of 11 Olympic-size swimming pools. If they were placed side by side and lying down, these barrels would stretch approximately 145 kilometres—the distance between Montreal and Sherbrooke. There are currently 60 million pounds of syrup in the Reserve, spread out over various sites with the main one now being Laurierville. Syrup that was not sold during the year is received at the facility, then pasteurized before being transferred into new food-grade barrels in order to preserve the quality and flavour for future sales. The latest equipment installed by the FPAQ for these tasks can handle 21,000 gallons per day (95,466 litres). The new facility employs about 20 people. The FPAQ's pasteurization operations were previously performed at a facility in St-Antoine-de-Tilly. In order to increase efficiency, it was decided to move these activities to a larger installation in Laurierville.

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Maple syrup and the Reserve: proudly Canadian "For the Federation and 7,300 Quebec maple syrup businesses, this facility is a great source of pride," says Serge Beaulieu, president of the FPAQ, who sees it as essential for supporting the maple syrup industry. "As well as confirming our status as the world's primary producer of maple syrup, it enables us to maintain price stability by ensuring that a steady supply of syrup is made available for different markets in the event of poor harvests." For example, after a series of relatively poor harvests from 2005 to 2008, the strategic Reserve ensured continual supply as new markets were being developed in both Canada and abroad. "This is how we mitigate risk in maple production. Other sectors use stabilization insurance or complete product management control; we set a portion of our product aside for the future." The FPAQ has invested more than $4 million in acquiring the building and transforming it into a factory that meets food standards. The management has paid particular attention to security. The Government of Quebec, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, awarded $360,500 toward optimization of barrel receiving, pasteurization, barrelling and rinsate recycling as part of its Program to Support Sectoral Development Strategies. About the FPAQ Founded in 1966, the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers is driven by its mission to defend and promote the economic, social and moral interests of 7,300 Quebec maple syrup businesses and to develop initiatives to collectively market their products. The quality work of these maple producers has made Quebec the proud source of 75% of the world's maple syrup.

- 30 - maplesyrupfederation.com www.ilovemaple.ca Source Paul Rouillard Deputy Director Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers 450-679-0540 ext. 8330 paulrouillard@upa.qc.ca Media relations Mélanie Bergeron 514 922-2009 melanie.bergeron@live.ca Denise Deveau 514 762-9889 denise.deveau@videotron.ca