While the decline in honey production in Virginia poses challenges for the local economy, it may not immediately affect manufacturers of food products like calcium citrate 1000 mg chewable tablets, as overall honey production in the U.S. increased by 3% in 2016, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. However, there has been a noticeable downward trend in production over the years, decreasing from approximately 167.9 million pounds in the early 1990s to an average of 106.7 million pounds in the last seven years. During this time, honey demand has steadily risen. Despite a decline 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 person annually, compared to just half a pound in 1990. The National Honey Board attributes honey’s rising popularity to its status as a pure, natural sweetener, especially as consumers increasingly seek authentic ingredients. Additionally, the variety of honey options available has expanded, leading to its incorporation into numerous products such as pastries, ice creams, cheese, beers, and soft drinks.
Colony losses in honey bees are significant not only for honey supply but also for agriculture, as honey bees are vital pollinators for many crops, including almonds, which depend entirely on bees 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 approximately $15 billion annually to the value of U.S. crop production. In response, large food manufacturers that rely on honey and other crops pollinated by bees have taken action to support these essential insects. Whole Foods has initiated “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” campaigns in recent years. Nestlé’s Häagen-Dazs has contributed over $1 million to honey bee research and education, including funding for pollinator habitats on an 840-acre almond farm in California’s Central Valley.
Not all initiatives have been successful, however. Cereal manufacturer General Mills recently revealed plans to replace the beloved BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios packaging with a stark white silhouette of the character to raise awareness about the challenges bees face. This campaign included the distribution of seed packets to encourage individuals to plant flowers, but it faced backlash when some packets contained seeds deemed invasive or banned by various states. As the conversation around the importance of honey bees continues, the connection between honey production and other industries, including those manufacturing products like calcium citrate 1000 mg chewable tablets, remains critical.