S.D. Honey Production Down, Price Up $.18

Honey production in 2022 from South Dakota producers with five or more colonies totaled 7.22 million pounds, down 41% from 2021, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. South Dakota ranked sixth in the nation for honey production.

There were 185,000 honey producing colonies in South Dakota during 2022, down 26% from 2021. Average yield was 39 pounds per colony, down 10 pounds from 2021. Producer stocks were 2.81 million pounds on December 15, 2022, down from 5.27 million pounds a year earlier.

Prices for the 2022 crop averaged $2.58 per pound, up from $2.40 per pound in 2021. Prices were based on retail sales by producers and sales to private processors and cooperatives. Total value of honey produced in 2022 was $18.6 million, down 37% from 2021.

United States honey production in 2022 totaled 125 million pounds, down 1 percent from 2021. There were 2.67 million colonies producing honey in 2022, down 1 percent from 2021. Yield per colony averaged 47.0 pounds, unchanged from 2021. Colonies which produced honey in more than one State were counted in each State where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the United States level yield per colony may be understated, but total production would not be impacted. Colonies were not included if honey was not harvested. Producer honey stocks were 23.3 million pounds on December 15, 2022, down 1 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.

United States honey prices increased 12 percent during 2022 to $2.96 per pound, compared to $2.65 per pound in 2021. United States and State level prices reflect the portions of honey sold through cooperatives, private, and retail channels. Prices for each color class are derived by weighting the quantities sold for each marketing channel.

Prices for the 2021 crop reflect honey sold in 2021 and 2022. Some 2021 crop honey was sold in 2022, which caused some revisions to the 2021 crop prices. The average prices paid in 2022 for honey bee queens, packages, and nucs were $22, $98, and $129, respectively.

Pollination income for 2022 was $241 million, down 11 percent from 2021. Other income from honey bees in 2022 was $55.2 million, down 31 percent from 2021.