United States Honey Production Down 12 Percent

Lowest Ever Reported at 144 Million Pounds

Honey production in 2009 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 144 million pounds, down 12 percent from 2008. There were 2.46 million colonies producing honey in 2009, up 5 percent from 2008. Yield per colony averaged 58.5 pounds, down 16 percent from the 69.9 pounds in 2008, and is the lowest yield since 1989. Colonies which produced honey in more than one State were counted in each State where the honey was produced. Therefore, yields 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 37.2 million pounds on December 15, 2009, down 27 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.

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Released February 26, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on Honey call Troy Marshall at (202) 720-3244, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

posted March 2010