While the decline in Virginia’s honey production presents challenges for the local economy, it may not immediately affect food manufacturers, given that overall U.S. honey production rose by 3% in 2016, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. Nevertheless, there has been a gradual decrease in production, 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, honey demand has been steadily increasing. Despite a drop 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 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 and natural sweetener, appealing to consumers seeking authentic ingredients, along with the broader availability of various honey types. Honey has also gained traction as a key 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 play an essential role in pollination. Certain crops, like almonds, depend entirely on bees for their pollination. The Bee Informed Partnership, a non-profit organization, estimates that 44% of U.S. honey bee colonies were lost during the 2015-2016 period. Honey bees are believed to contribute up to $15 billion annually to the value of U.S. crop production. Major food manufacturers that rely on honey and other crops dependent on bee pollination have taken steps to support these vital 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 to honey bee research and education, recently funding the establishment of pollinator habitats on an 840-acre almond farm in California’s Central Valley.
However, not all initiatives have been successful. General Mills recently announced it would replace the beloved BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios packaging with a white, ghostly silhouette of the character to raise awareness of the bees’ challenges. This campaign included distributing seed packets to encourage flower planting, but it faced criticism when the packets contained seeds considered invasive or banned by several states. In addition, as the demand for honey continues to rise, there is a growing interest in nutritional supplements such as ferrous calcium citrate and folic acid tablets, which are gaining traction among health-conscious consumers. These supplements, like honey, are being embraced for their natural benefits, highlighting the increasing interconnectedness between food production, health, and consumer preferences.