Maple syrup is a treasured commodity that is beloved by many. It is not only delicious but also has a long and rich history that dates back to the indigenous peoples of North America. They were the first to discover the sweet sap of the sugar maple tree and use it as a natural sweetener.
Today, the global maple syrup industry is valued at over $1.2 billion, with Canada being the largest producer and exporter of maple syrup in the world. Vermont is the largest supplier of maple syrup in the U.S, responsible for producing 48% of all U.S. maple syrup production, followed by New York, which produces 17.8% of the maple syrup in the U.S., which amounts to approximately 820,000 gallons.
The production of maple syrup is a slow and challenging process, which contributes to its considerable price tag. According to recent data, the average selling price of one grade A bottle of maple syrup in the United States is around $20. Therefore, it’s no wonder that maple syrup has become a prime target for theft due to its high demand and limited supply.
In fact, in 2012, a theft of 20,000 barrels of maple syrup from a Quebec warehouse was estimated to be worth over $18 million. This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of monitoring and securing liquid shipments of valuable commodities like maple syrup.
Securing Maple Syrup Shipments
As for the mode of transport used for maple syrup shipments, it can vary depending on the destination, the specific end-user, and the syrups grade. Typically, its shipped in refrigerated trucks and commercial tank trucks or tank cars across North America. Internationally, maple syrup is shipped via air or sea freight.
When shipping maple syrup in refrigerated trucks to maintain the product’s quality and freshness there are several layers of protective measures and security that should be employed. Here are important steps to take so you can identify tampering, temperature abnormalities, and mitigate pilferage and theft.
- Secure cartons and boxed bags with a VOID security tape that reveals tampering if any attempts are made to open a box and pilfer a bottle, jug, or bag.
- Utilize TydenBrooks’ KT+ or KTC tamper-evident Void Security Tape.
- Seal metal drum lid caps with tamper-evident frangible security labels, and drum ring apertures with adjustable plastic security seals or light duty cable seals.
- Utilize TydenBrooks’ frangible MRS2 security seal for lid caps.
- For drum ring apertures utilize the plastic our Equilok or Quick Loc 1.0 light duty cable seal.
When transporting bulk grade syrup to a manufacturer in North America or shipping internationally via air or sea freight there are additional precautions to ensure that the syrup arrives at its destination safely and in good condition. Here are important steps to take so you can identify tampering, temperature abnormalities, and mitigate pilferage and theft.
- Secure rail and truck tanker lids and valves with high security cable seals when the conveyance is full and with adjustable plastic indicative security seals after being cleaned at the wash bay.
- Utilize TydenBrooks’ ISO 17712 high-security FlexSecure FS35 cable seal and our Tug Tight adjustable plastic indicative seal.
- Include customized bar coding for an added layer of security and traceability.
- During container shipments, it’s important to ensure that the temperature inside the conveyance remains consistent, so the syrup doesn’t freeze or get too warm, which could compromise its quality and freshness.
- Utilize our HGD4 TydenTracker and E4BL TydenTag in conjunction with our high security ISO 17712 SnapTracker bolt seal to secure container door hasps.
Securing the World
High-value and high-risk shipments are best protected by implementing layered protective measures, such as connected tracking and monitoring sensors with high security ISO barrier seals. With a TydenBrooks total-solution, producers, shippers and carriers can proactively curtail incursions, pilferage, theft, and claims. To implement a TydenBrooks cargo security solution, call us at 1-800-458-7325 (SEAL) or [email protected] and speak with one of our supply chain security experts today.
