An update yesterday from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) stated that, “United States honey production in 2019 totaled 157 million pounds, up 2 percent from 2018. There were 2.81 million colonies producing honey in 2019, down 1 percent from 2018. Yield per colony averaged 55.8 pounds, up 2 percent from the 54.5 pounds in 2018. Colonies which produced honey in more than one State were counted in each State where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the United States level yield per colony may be understated, but total production would not be impacted. Colonies were not included if honey was not harvested. Producer honey stocks were 41.0 million pounds on December 15, 2019, up 40 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.”
The NASS update added that, “United States honey prices decreased 11 percent during 2019 to $1.97 per pound, compared to $2.21 per pound in 2018. United States and State level prices reflect the portions of honey sold through cooperatives, private, and retail channels. Prices for each color class are derived by weighting the quantities sold for each marketing channel. Prices for the 2018 crop reflect honey sold in 2018 and 2019. Some 2018 crop honey was sold in 2019, which caused some revisions to the 2018 crop prices.”
A separate update yesterday from the NASS Northern Plains Regional Office pointed out that, “Honey production in 2019 from North Dakota producers with five or more colonies totaled 33.8 million pounds, down 15 percent from 2018, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. North Dakota ranked first in the nation for honey production for the sixteenth consecutive year.”
