Market demand for maple syrup is so high, and supply is so low, that crooks have somehow managed to drain and steal 15,000 barrels of the stuff from New Brunswick, Canada, which the story calls “the Saudia Arabia of maple syrup.” Lest you think this is just another run-of-the-mill break-in, realize this stuff is valued at $30 million.
With U.S. production of maple syrup down by almost a third this year (PDF), to 1.91 million gallons, according to the Department of Agriculture, the pilfered product would have met strong demand south of the border. The pancake topper already fetches $60 a gallon or more, making Quebec’s abundant reserves a rich target.
So the next time you smother your pancakes in tasty maple syrup, realize you may be downing stolen goods.
