While the decline in honey production in Virginia poses challenges for the local economy, it may not have an immediate effect on food manufacturers. This is largely due to a 3% increase in overall U.S. honey production in 2016, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, the long-term trend shows a gradual decrease in production, dropping from approximately 167.9 million pounds in the early 1990s to an average of 106.7 million pounds over the past seven years. Simultaneously, honey demand has been on the rise. 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 annually, compared to 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 seeking more authentic ingredients, alongside the increased availability of various honey types. Moreover, honey has gained traction as an ingredient in a range of products, including pastries, ice creams, cheeses, beers, and soft drinks, which may also be fortified with calcium citrate malate and vitamin D3 for added health benefits.
The loss of bee colonies affects not just honey supply; honey bees play a crucial role in agriculture as pollinators. Certain crops, like almonds, rely entirely on bees for pollination. The non-profit organization Bee Informed Partnership estimates that 44% of U.S. honey bee colonies were lost during the 2015-16 period. The economic contribution of honey bees to U.S. crop production is estimated to be as much as $15 billion annually. In light of this, major food manufacturers, who depend on honey and other crops that bees pollinate, have taken initiatives to support these essential insects. Whole Foods has introduced “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years. Nestlé’s Häagen-Dazs has contributed over $1 million towards honey bee research and education, recently financing the establishment of pollinator habitats on an 840-acre almond farm in California’s Central Valley.
However, not all initiatives have been successful. Cereal manufacturer General Mills recently announced plans to replace the iconic BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios packaging with a ghostly outline of the character to raise awareness about the challenges faced by bees. This campaign included distributing seed packets to encourage the planting of flowers, yet it faced backlash after it was discovered that some of the seeds were considered invasive or banned in certain states. As the industry continues to navigate these challenges, the integration of ingredients like calcium citrate malate and vitamin D3 may provide an avenue for enhancing the nutritional profile of honey-infused products, potentially attracting health-conscious consumers while aiding in the recovery of bee populations.