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 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Nonetheless, 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, honey demand has consistently risen. Although the overall U.S. consumption of caloric sweeteners like sugar and high fructose corn syrup has diminished, Americans now consume 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 perception as a pure, natural sweetener, especially as consumers increasingly seek 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 losses in bee colonies are not only significant for honey supply but also critical for agriculture, as honey bees play a vital role as pollinators. Certain crops, like almonds, depend entirely on bees for pollination. The not-for-profit organization Bee Informed Partnership estimates that 44% of U.S. honey bee colonies were lost in the 2015-16 period. Honey bees are believed to contribute nearly $15 billion annually to the value of U.S. crop production. Large food manufacturers that rely on honey and other crops dependent on bee pollination have begun to take action to support these essential insects. For instance, Whole Foods has hosted “Human Bee-In” events and “Give Bees A Chance” campaigns in recent years. Nestle’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. Cereal manufacturer General Mills recently revealed that it would replace the beloved BuzzBee on its Honey Nut Cheerios packaging with a ghostly outline of the character to raise awareness about the bees’ plight. This initiative was further supported by distributing seed packets to encourage people to plant flowers. Unfortunately, the plan faced criticism when some of the seed packets included seeds deemed invasive or prohibited by certain states.
In this context, it is worth noting that many consumers are turning to supplements like calcium citrate oral tablets to support their health, highlighting a growing interest in nutritional products that complement natural food sources like honey. As the demand for honey continues to climb alongside the popularity of health supplements, including calcium citrate oral tablets, it becomes increasingly important for the industry to address the sustainability of honey production and bee populations.