Real-time industry insights, AI-summarized for beekeepers.
$4.20/lb
Bulk Honey Index
+0.12 (3.1%) this week
Elevated
Varroa Pressure
14 US states reporting high load
Peak Bloom
Forage Forecast
Pacific Northwest — early by 2 wks
A recent report indicates that US commercial honeybee colonies experienced a mass die-off, losing over 60% (approximately 1.7 million colonies) between summer 2024 and spring 2025. This significant loss directly impacts commercial beekeepers, threatening their livelihoods and the pollination services they provide to agriculture. Beekeepers should monitor colony health closely, implement best management practices to mitigate losses, and advocate for research and support programs.
Vietnamese honey exports to the United States are currently subject to significant anti-dumping duties, making it more expensive for US importers. This policy aims to counteract unfair pricing practices by foreign producers in the US market. The high duties directly affect Vietnamese beekeepers and raw honey-related food processing industries, potentially reducing their access to the US market.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reportedly planning to close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland, a 6500-acre facility critical for agricultural research. This closure threatens federal bee research programs, potentially diminishing vital scientific advancements and jeopardizing the stability of the US food system. US beekeepers should closely monitor this situation and consider advocating for the preservation of essential bee research infrastructure.
The article provides a practical guide for beekeepers on how to confirm queen loss in a colony and outlines immediate steps for recovery. It emphasizes that a lost queen does not necessarily mean the hive is doomed, offering strategies to save the bees. This information is crucial for beekeepers facing common hive management challenges.
Researchers have discovered that a common, next-generation pesticide, designed to kill crop pests, is significantly interfering with the reproductive health of bumblebees. This pesticide's impact could lead to substantial declines in bumblebee populations and broader disruptions to pollinator ecosystems. Beekeepers should monitor news on pesticide research and regulations, as impacts on other pollinators often signal risks to honey bees and the overall pollinator environment.
From 2024 to 2025, U.S. honeybee colonies experienced record losses, with winter mortality and commercial beekeeper declines reaching unprecedented levels. This alarming trend signifies a critical challenge to the stability of US beekeeping and agricultural pollination. Recovery efforts are reportedly underway to mitigate these severe impacts on the bee population.
More than 850 invasive yellow-legged hornets, a significant predator of honeybees, have been recorded across Georgia this year as part of ongoing efforts to control their spread. This widespread detection poses a critical and immediate threat to local honeybee populations and the beekeeping industry. Beekeepers in Georgia and neighboring states must remain highly vigilant, learn to identify this hornet, and report any sightings to agricultural authorities immediately.
New research, published in Current Biology, indicates that queen bees can actively concentrate pesticides into their eggs as a survival mechanism when exposed to toxins. This process, while protecting the queen, risks delayed colony collapse by affecting future generations of bees. The study highlights a previously unknown coping strategy with severe long-term consequences for colony viability.
American beekeepers have experienced significant colony losses, exceeding half their colonies, leading to a decline in domestic honey production. This situation forces the U.S. to increase its reliance on imported honey to meet demand. Beekeepers are struggling to rebuild their operations and replace lost colonies, impacting their livelihoods and the industry's stability.
