This project focuses on strengthening sustainability, supply chain integrity, and energy-conscious innovation in the maple and birch syrup sector through an agroforestry lens. Maple and birch syrup production sits at the intersection of forestry, agriculture, food processing, and rural economic development. As a result, the sector depends not only on healthy forest ecosystems and responsible land stewardship, but also on efficient production systems, credible product claims, and transparent market practices. The project explores how producers and downstream supply chain actors can improve performance through stronger attention to authenticity, traceability, conformance, and energy efficiency.

A central area of focus is the energy-intensive nature of syrup production, particularly the evaporation process required to concentrate sap into syrup. The project therefore examines opportunities to improve resource efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and support more sustainable production practices without compromising product quality or sector competitiveness. At the same time, it considers how the Whole-Chain International Standard can help strengthen confidence in the industry by supporting better traceability, stronger chain-of-custody logic, clearer conformance with product and labelling expectations, and improved assurance that syrup products are authentic.

Through research, stakeholder engagement, and practical implementation planning, the project aims to generate insights and tools that can help syrup producers, packers, retailers, and related partners build more transparent, resilient, and environmentally responsible supply chains. In doing so, it supports a sector that is economically and culturally significant while advancing innovation at the point where agroforestry stewardship, food integrity, and sustainable business practices converge.