Last month, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released an update summarizing U.S. Honey Bee statistics.
The report noted that, “In 2017, the United States had 2.88 million honey bee colonies, down 12 percent from the record high 3.28 million colonies in 2012, but down less than 1 percent from 2007. Fig. 1 shows number of colonies since 1969; similar data are available going back to 1900. Fig. 2 shows that colony losses and gains occur seasonally. The greatest losses occur in the fall and winter quarters that start in October and January.”
Statistical Summary: Honey Bees. USDA-NASS (September 2019).
The NASS update stated that, “The largest number of colony renovations occur in the spring quarter starting in April, making total colony numbers largest in the quarters that start in July and October. For example, Fig. 2 shows significant losses in the last quarter of 2017 and first quarter of 2018; after 740,000 colonies were renovated in the second quarter, there were 2.96 million colonies in the third quarter of 2018.”
Statistical Summary: Honey Bees. USDA-NASS (September 2019).
With respect to production, the September report indicated that, “U.S. honey production in 2018 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 152 million pounds, up 2 percent from 2017 (Fig. 3). The average honey yield per colony that year was 54.4 pounds, down 2 percent from 55.5 pounds in 2017. Colonies that produced honey in more than one state were counted in each state where the honey was produced. As a result, at the national level yield per colony may be understated, but total production is not impacted. Only colonies from which honey was harvested are included.”
Statistical Summary: Honey Bees. USDA-NASS (September 2019).
The NASS report also noted that, “Between 2017 and 2018, honey prices in the United States declined from 220.0 cents per pound (the highest ever) to 216.6 cents (Fig. 4). Prices at the national and state level reflect the shares of honey sold through cooperative, private, and retail channels. Prices for each honey color classification are derived by weighting the quantities sold for each marketing channel.”
Statistical Summary: Honey Bees. USDA-NASS (September 2019).
“Honey sales in 2017 were $320 million, up 21 percent from 2012, according to the Census of Agriculture,” the NASS report said.
