Beekeeping in the US faces a decline due to challenges such as Colony Collapse Disorder and environmental factors.
As of 2022, there were 1,100,000 hives in the United States.
The State of Beekeeping in the United States
The United States is home to a thriving beekeeping industry, with a significant number of beekeepers maintaining hives across the country. However, the industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, leading to a decline in the number of beekeeping enterprises and hive numbers.
Challenges Facing the Industry
Mānuka Honey Prices Plummet Amidst Oversupply and Shift in Consumer Preferences.
This is a significant drop from the peak of $1,500 per tonne in 2018.
The State of Mānuka Honey Prices
The report highlights a significant shift in the market dynamics of mānuka honey, with wholesale prices plummeting to levels comparable to those of normal clover honey. This change is attributed to an oversupply of mānuka honey in the market, which has led to a decrease in demand and subsequently, a drop in prices.
Factors Contributing to the Price Drop
Several factors have contributed to the decline in mānuka honey prices. These include:
Apiculture New Zealand is the national beekeeping association for New Zealand.
The State of the Apiculture Industry in New Zealand
The apiculture industry in New Zealand is facing significant challenges, as highlighted in the Coriolis report. The report, which was commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the industry.
The report’s findings were also reflected in the industry’s work on a new strategy, which was launched in 2020.
The Challenges Facing the Industry
The Coriolis report, published in 2020, highlighted several key challenges facing the industry. These challenges included:
The Industry’s Response
In response to the Coriolis report, the industry has taken several steps to address the challenges identified.
Tariff removal boosts New Zealand’s honey export revenue by 11% to $419 million.
Key Statistics
The Impact of Tariff Removal
The removal of tariffs in key British and European Union markets has significantly improved New Zealand’s underlying competitiveness in the global honey market. This development has led to a substantial increase in honey export revenue, reaching $419 million in the June 2024 year.
The country’s honey is renowned for its high quality and distinct flavor profile, which is attributed to the unique combination of native flora and climate.
The Rise of New Zealand’s Honey Industry
New Zealand’s honey industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by the country’s unique natural environment and high-quality honey production.