The decline in honey production in Virginia presents challenges for the local economy; however, it may not immediately affect food manufacturers, as overall honey production across the United States increased by 3% in 2016, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Nonetheless, there has been a noticeable trend of decreasing production, which fell from approximately 167.9 million pounds in the early 1990s to an average of 106.7 million pounds over the past seven years. In contrast, honey demand has been on the rise. Even though the total U.S. consumption of caloric sweeteners like sugar and high fructose corn syrup has decreased, Americans now consume an average of 1.3 pounds of honey annually, up from just half a pound per person in 1990. The National Honey Board attributes honey’s growing popularity to its status as a pure, natural sweetener, appealing to consumers who seek more authentic ingredients, as well as the increased availability of various honey types. Additionally, honey has become a favored ingredient in a range of products, including pastries, ice creams, cheeses, beers, and soft drinks.
The loss of honey bee colonies is significant not only for honey production but also for agriculture as a whole, given the essential role honey bees play as pollinators. Certain crops, such as almonds, depend entirely on bees for successful pollination. The non-profit organization Bee Informed Partnership reported 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 response to the plight of these vital pollinators, large food manufacturers that rely on honey and other crops pollinated by bees have begun to take action.
For instance, Whole Foods has organized “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” campaigns in recent years. Meanwhile, Nestlé’s Häagen-Dazs has contributed over $1 million to support honey bee research and education, including funding the installation of pollinator habitats on an 840-acre almond farm in California’s Central Valley. However, not all initiatives have garnered success. Cereal manufacturer General Mills recently revealed that it would replace the beloved BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios packaging with a white, ghostly outline of the character to raise awareness about the challenges faced by honey bees. This initiative was paired with the distribution of seed packets to encourage people to plant flowers for bees. Unfortunately, the plan faced criticism after it was discovered that the packets contained seeds considered invasive or banned in certain states.
To address the challenges faced by honey bees, some companies are incorporating innovative solutions, such as sisu cal mag supplements that can enhance bee health and resilience. By focusing on such strategies, the food industry can contribute to improving honey bee populations and ensuring the sustainability of honey production in the future.