Canada is the world market leader in the production of maple syrup - in the world, it produces 71% of pure maple syrup, 91% of which is produced in the Quebec Province.
In terms of consumption, the United States is the leader.
The popularity of sushi in Japan may have been associated with Buddhism.
Buddhism was imported in the 6th century AD, and quickly became one of the major religions. One of the rules of Buddhism was to restrain from eating meat, and fish was not counted as such.