Maple syrup is a symbolic product of the northeastern territories of Northern America. During recent decades, maple syrup producers encountered an increasing number of challenges connected with climate change such as pests and diseases, a potential shift in the suitable habitat, and variations in timing. Nonetheless, in the United States yearly, millions of gallons of maple syrup are produced – in 2016, approximately four million gallons (Snyder et al., 2019, p. 185). Hence, the maple syrup business still provides an opportunity not only to build capital but also to support one’s identity.
The business is concentrated on producing organic maple syrup and other related products such as infused syrups. Guided tours are organized at the family farm and sugarhouse – visitors can see how the products are made. The business revolves around sustainability and building rural identity. In the view of climatic change, one of the long-term goals is to decrease pesticide residues needed for traditional production (Legault et al., 2019). Additional long-term goals include increasing the brand’s awareness, employing more extensive social media marketing, and enhancing total revenue over the following three years. The leading cause of short-term growth is an increase in aggregate demand, which can be achieved by price reduction, for instance. Among other, more convenient methods are promotions, discounts, and special rates. Employing these methods can help the business enhance aggregate demand and thus expand production.
Despite the dangers that could impact maple syrup production, it remains worth exploring. The outlined business aims to provide high-quality organic products that involve the community and strengthen its identity. Additionally, it could serve as an identifiable local attraction for tourists, which also would benefit the town’s food and hospitality sectors. Conclusively, maple syrup is an economically and culturally significant product that provides numerous growth opportunities.
References
Legault, S., Houle, D., Plouffe, A., Ameztegui, A., Kuehn, D., Chase, L., &Perkins, T. D. (2019). Perceptions of U.S. and Canadian maple syrup producers toward climate change, its impacts, and potential adaptation measures. PLOS ONE, 14(4), 1–27.
Snyder, S.A., Kilgore, M.A., Emery, M.R., & Schmitz, M. (2019). Maple Syrup Producers of the Lake States, USA: Attitudes towards and adaptation to social, ecological, and climate conditions. Environmental Management, 63, 185–199.