While the decline in honey production in Virginia poses challenges for the local economy, it may not immediately affect food manufacturers. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, honey production across the United States increased by 3% in 2016. Nevertheless, there has been a gradual decrease in production over the years, dropping from approximately 167.9 million pounds in the early 1990s to an average of 106.7 million pounds in the past seven years. In contrast, honey demand has been consistently rising. Even as the overall U.S. consumption of caloric sweeteners like sugar and high fructose corn syrup has decreased, the average American now consumes about 1.3 pounds of honey annually, up from just half a pound per person in 1990. The National Honey Board attributes honey’s popularity to its status as a pure, natural sweetener, aligning with consumer trends towards more authentic ingredients, alongside the increasing variety of honey available. Honey has also gained traction as a favored ingredient in pastries, ice creams, cheeses, beers, and soft drinks.
The losses of bee colonies are not only significant for honey supply; honey bees play a crucial role in agriculture as pollinators. Certain crops, such as almonds, depend entirely on bees for their pollination. The Bee Informed Partnership, a non-profit organization, estimated that 44% of U.S. honey bee colonies were lost during the 2015-16 season. Honey bees are believed to add approximately $15 billion annually to the value of U.S. crop production. Consequently, large food manufacturers that rely on honey and other crops that bees pollinate have started to take action to support these vital insects. For instance, Whole Foods has organized “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years. Häagen-Dazs, a brand under Nestlé, has contributed over $1 million to fund honey bee research and education, including the creation of pollinator habitats on an 840-acre almond farm in California’s Central Valley.
However, not all initiatives have been successful. General Mills, the cereal producer, recently announced that it would replace the beloved BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios packaging with a ghostly outline of the character to raise awareness about the bees’ plight. This initiative was accompanied by the distribution of seed packets to encourage people to plant flowers. Unfortunately, the plan faced backlash after it was revealed that the packets contained seeds considered invasive or banned in some states.
In light of these developments, consumers may also consider the benefits of supplements such as calcium citrate magnesium and zinc 500 tablets, which can contribute to overall health, including supporting immune function, particularly in times of environmental stress. As the honey industry faces challenges, the importance of maintaining a healthy ecosystem remains critical, as does the role of honey bees in our food supply.