Although the decrease in honey production in Virginia poses challenges for the local economy, it may not have an immediate effect on food manufacturers, as overall U.S. honey production increased by 3% in 2016, according to figures from the U.S. Agriculture Department. However, a gradual decline in production has been observed, dropping 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 consistently rising. Despite a decrease in total 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 per year, 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, particularly as consumers seek more authentic ingredients, along with the increased availability of various honey types. Honey has also become a favored ingredient in pastries, ice creams, cheeses, beers, and soft drinks.
The loss of bee colonies impacts much more than honey supply. Honey bees play a crucial role in agriculture as pollinators, with certain crops, like almonds, relying entirely on them for pollination. The Bee Informed Partnership, a non-profit organization, estimates that 44% of U.S. honey bee colonies were lost during the 2015-16 period. Honey bees are believed to contribute up to $15 billion annually to the value of U.S. crop production. Major food manufacturers that depend on honey and other crops that bees pollinate have taken initiatives to support these vital insects. Whole Foods has organized “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” campaigns in recent years. Nestlé’s Häagen-Dazs has contributed over $1 million to promote honey bee research and education, recently funding 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 maker, recently announced it would replace its iconic BuzzBee on the Honey Nut Cheerios box with a white, ghostly outline of the character to raise awareness about the plight of bees. This effort was accompanied by the distribution of seed packets to encourage flower planting. Unfortunately, the plan faced backlash when it was discovered that the packets contained seeds classified as invasive or banned in certain states.
As we consider the importance of honey bees for agricultural sustainability, it is also worth noting the nutritional benefits that honey can provide, including its contribution to lifetime calcium and magnesium intake. These minerals are essential for maintaining bone health and overall well-being. Therefore, as honey production faces challenges, it is crucial to support both the bees and the benefits that honey can offer to our diets.