Wisconsin
Honey production from producers with five or more colonies in Wisconsin totaled 2.51 million pounds in 2024 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Honey report. This was 10 percent lower than the 2.79 million pounds produced in 2023. The number of honey producing colonies in the state, at 57,000, was down 5,000 from 2023. This number does not include producers with fewer than five colonies or producers who did not harvest honey. Yield per colony in Wisconsin averaged 44 pounds, compared to 45 pounds per colony in 2023. 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.
On December 15, 2024, producer honey stocks in Wisconsin, excluding stocks under government loan programs, were 1,104 thousand pounds, 10 percent higher than 2023. The state’s 2024 honey crop was valued at $8.85 million, down 9 percent from the previous year’s $9.74 million. The average price per pound for all marketing channels in Wisconsin was $3.53, up 4 cents from 2023.
National
United States honey production in 2024 totaled 134 million pounds, down 4 percent from 2023. There were 2.60 million colonies producing honey in 2024, up 3 percent from 2023. Yield per colony averaged 51.7 pounds, down 6 percent from 2023. 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 43.4 million pounds on December 15, 2024, down 2 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.
United States honey prices increased 5 percent during 2024 to $2.69 per pound, compared to $2.55 per pound in 2023. 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 2023 crop reflect honey sold in 2023 and 2024. Some 2023 crop honey was sold in 2024, which caused some revisions to the 2023 crop prices.
The average prices paid in 2024 for honey bee queens, packages, and nucs were $18, $89, and $109, respectively. Pollination income for 2024 was $226 million, down 11 percent from 2023. Other income from honey bees in 2024 was $51.3 million, down 11 percent from 2023.
Leave a Reply