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First of all, it’s important to note — and briefly dwell on — the fact that Canada is home to a vast maple-syrup reserve. You know, kind of like what the U.S. does with oil in the event of a major domestic or international catastrophe.

Drizzled throughout a few rural Quebec facilities, the emergency syrup supply previously contained 37 million lb. of the stuff. But that surplus has been significantly depleted after thieves took off with more than a quarter of it, the Wall Street Journal reported. During a routine inventory check at a warehouse about 100 miles northeast of Montreal, the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers noticed scores of empty barrels. These barrels — more than 15,000 of them — had contained an estimated 10 million lb. of syrup worth more than $30 million.

(MORE: Syrup Shortage: Warm Weather Has Led to “Yucky” Maple Syrup)

Quebec, which produces an estimated 75% of the world’s maple syrup, has maintained the cache since 2000, as a bulwark against poor harvests or unexpectedly high demand. The St.-Louis-de-Blandford warehouse, the location of the heist, is secured with fences and locks, officials from the federation told the Journal. The other facilities housing the syrup reserves have not been targeted, and the theft is still under investigation. Current theories suggest that the stolen goods will be sold on the black market.

Though 10 million lb. might seem like quite a bit of syrup to vanish, the federation said there would be no immediate effects on the global supply. Still, it looks like there really is a need for emergency syrup reserves after all. Who’s laughing now?

MORE: A Brief History of Maple Syrup