While the decline in honey production in Virginia signals bad news for the local economy, it may not immediately affect food manufacturers, as the overall honey output in the U.S. rose by 3% in 2016, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. However, there has been a gradual decrease in production, dropping from around 167.9 million pounds in the early 1990s to an average of 106.7 million pounds over the past seven years. Concurrently, honey demand has been steadily increasing. Despite a decline in total U.S. consumption of caloric sweeteners like sugar and high fructose corn syrup, Americans now consume an average of 1.3 pounds of honey per year, 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 seek more authentic ingredients, along with the broader availability of various honey types. Honey has also gained traction as a popular ingredient in pastries, ice creams, cheeses, beers, and soft drinks.
Significantly, the loss of bee colonies affects not just honey supply but also agricultural pollination. Certain crops, like almonds, rely entirely on honey bees for pollination. According to the not-for-profit Bee Informed Partnership, 44% of U.S. honey bee colonies were lost during the 2015-16 period. Honey bees are estimated to add up to $15 billion annually to the value of U.S. crop production. Large food manufacturers, which depend on honey and other crops that bees pollinate, have started initiatives to support these essential 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 towards honey bee research and education, including funding the establishment of pollinator habitats on an 840-acre almond farm in California’s Central Valley.
However, not all efforts have been effective. General Mills, the cereal maker, recently announced it would replace the beloved BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios packaging with a stark, white outline of the character to raise awareness about the bees’ struggles. This initiative was paired with the distribution of seed packets to encourage people to plant flowers. Nevertheless, the plan faced backlash when it was revealed that the seed packets contained varieties considered invasive or banned in some states.
In discussions about health, some may wonder if calcium citrate causes constipation, especially when considering dietary changes influenced by honey’s rising popularity. This concern has surfaced as more people explore the health implications of honey and other natural sweeteners. Ultimately, while the decline in honey production presents challenges, the response from both consumers and manufacturers may help bolster the bee population and the agricultural landscape, ensuring that honey remains a staple in American diets.