Honey Bee Numbers are Buzzing Again

In a recent analysis reported by The Washington Post, the United States may be witnessing a surge in bee farms, potentially reaching a record number. This development carries significant implications as it counters earlier concerns about the decline of domesticated western honey bees, crucial to global food systems, due to factors like pesticides, climate change, and invasive mites.

The latest data from the Department of Agriculture paints an optimistic picture, indicating a resurgence in domesticated honey bee colonies. The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service's 2022 census reveals a remarkable growth, with over 1 million honey bee colonies emerging across the nation since 2007. This surge positions honey bees as the fastest-growing livestock category in the country.

However, while these numbers seem promising, inflation may be artificially inflating bee population figures. The census criteria include operations generating at least $1,000 in products annually, potentially including hobbyists swayed by high honey prices. Moreover, despite population increases, honey yields in the U.S. have declined since the 1990s due to climate shifts and reduced soil productivity, as recent research indicates.