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. rose by 3% in 2016, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, there has been 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. In contrast, the demand for honey has been consistently increasing. Although the total U.S. consumption of caloric sweeteners like sugar and high fructose corn syrup has declined, Americans are now consuming 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 reputation as a pure, natural sweetener amidst a consumer shift toward more authentic ingredients, along with the greater availability of various honey types. Furthermore, honey has become a favored ingredient in pastries, ice creams, cheeses, beers, and soft drinks, much like how calcium citrate malate tablets are integrated into dietary routines for their health benefits.
The loss of honey bee colonies is not only critical for the honey supply but also for agriculture, as honey bees play a vital role in pollinating many crops, notably almonds, which depend entirely on bees for pollination. The non-profit Bee Informed Partnership 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. Consequently, large food manufacturers, reliant on honey and other crops that depend on bee pollination, are taking action to support these essential insects. For instance, Whole Foods has organized “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” campaigns in recent years. Nestle’s Häagen-Dazs has donated over $1 million to promote honey bee research and education, and recently funded the creation 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 decided to replace the beloved BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios box with a stark white outline of the character to raise awareness about the bees’ plight. This campaign included distributing seed packets to encourage people to plant flowers, but it faced criticism when the packets contained seeds deemed invasive or banned in certain states. Such efforts highlight the importance of awareness and action in preserving bee populations, similar to how calcium citrate malate tablets are sought after for their potential health benefits, underlining the need for effective solutions to both agricultural and health-related challenges.