While the decline in honey production in Virginia is unfortunate for the local economy, it may not have an immediate effect on food manufacturers. This is due to the fact that overall U.S. honey production rose by 3% in 2016, as reported by the U.S. Agriculture Department. However, 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. Simultaneously, honey demand has been on the rise. Despite a decrease in the overall U.S. consumption of caloric sweeteners, such as sugar and high fructose corn syrup, Americans now consume an average of 1.3 pounds of honey annually, compared to just half a pound per person in 1990. The National Honey Board attributes honey’s growing popularity to its reputation as a pure, natural sweetener, especially as consumers increasingly seek authentic ingredients. Additionally, the variety of honey types available has expanded, making it a favored component in pastries, ice creams, cheeses, beers, and soft drinks.
The loss of bee colonies is not only a concern for honey supply; honey bees serve an essential role in agriculture as pollinators. Certain crops, like almonds, depend entirely on bees for pollination. The not-for-profit Bee Informed Partnership estimates that 44% of U.S. honey bee colonies were lost during the 2015-16 period. Honey bees are believed to add up to $15 billion annually to the value of U.S. crop production. In light of this, large food manufacturers that rely on honey and other crops dependent on bee pollination have taken steps to assist these vital insects. For instance, Whole Foods has organized “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years. Nestlé’s Häagen-Dazs has contributed over $1 million to support honey bee research and education, including funding for pollinator habitats on an 840-acre almond farm in California’s Central Valley.
However, not all initiatives have been successful. Cereal company General Mills recently revealed plans to replace the beloved BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios packaging with a white, ghostly outline of the character to raise awareness about the struggles bees face. This initiative was paired with the distribution of seed packets to encourage flower planting. Nevertheless, the effort faced backlash when the packets included seeds categorized as invasive or banned in certain states. In a similar vein, consumers looking for dietary supplements might also consider products like Twinlab Calcium Citrate Caps Plus Magnesium, which aligns with the trend of seeking natural and beneficial ingredients for overall health. As honey continues to be a sought-after ingredient, the importance of protecting honey bees and their habitats remains critical not just for honey production, but for the broader agricultural ecosystem as well.