Domestic Honey Production represents 39% of total demand
- 10 states produce 77% of the total domestic honey supply.
- Top producing states are North Dakota, South Dakota and California.
- In 2011 domestic honey production was 148 million pounds. 24 years ago, the U.S. produced 220 million pounds. The attrition is foreign competition, imitation honey, and unhealthy bees (i.e., Varroa mites ‘80’s and CCD ‘06.
- Production is primarily dependent upon bee health and weather.
- In 2011 with 2.5 million colonies, each hive produced, on average, 51 lbs of honey.
- USDA has estimated that there are between 139,600 and 212,000 beekeepers in the United States. A 2012 survey conducted by Bee Culture Magazine suggests that there are 115,000-125,000 beekeepers in the U.S.
Using the Bradley University Survey of 1,300 beekeepers along with the USDA honey production data, the following table was extrapolated to show the population of commercial, sideline and hobby beekeepers by state. It assumes there are 120,000 U.S. Beekeepers.
