While the decline in honey production in Virginia poses challenges for the local economy, it may not have an immediate effect on food manufacturers, as overall honey production in the U.S. increased by 3% in 2016, according to figures from the U.S. Agriculture Department. However, the long-term trend shows a substantial decrease in production, dropping from approximately 167.9 million pounds in the early 1990s to an average of 106.7 million pounds over the last seven years. In contrast, honey demand has been on a steady rise. Even as the overall consumption of caloric sweeteners like sugar and high fructose corn syrup has declined, Americans now consume an average of 1.3 pounds of honey per year, a significant increase 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, especially as consumers seek more authentic ingredients, along with the increased availability of various honey types. Additionally, honey has gained traction as a favored ingredient in pastries, ice creams, cheeses, beers, and soft drinks.
The loss of bee colonies is critical not only for honey supply but also for agriculture, as honey bees serve as vital pollinators. Certain crops, such as almonds, rely entirely on bees for their pollination. The non-profit organization 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 approximately $15 billion annually to the value of U.S. crop production. Large food manufacturers, reliant on honey and other crops that depend on bee pollination, have taken steps to support these essential insects. Whole Foods has initiated “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” promotions in recent years. Similarly, Nestlé’s Häagen-Dazs has contributed over $1 million to 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 the beloved BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios box with a stark white outline of the character to raise awareness about the challenges facing bees. This effort was accompanied by the distribution of seed packets to encourage flower planting, but the plan faced criticism after the packets included seeds considered invasive or banned in several states.
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