WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — U.S. honey bee colony numbers increased entering 2026, but heavy losses and widespread health stress continue challenging commercial beekeepers. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service says (PDF Version) operations with at least five colonies started the year with 2.81 million colonies, up 6 percent from a year earlier.
Losses remained substantial during the first half. Beekeepers lost 16 percent of colonies from January through March and another 11 percent during the second quarter, requiring aggressive replacement and rebuilding.
Operators added more colonies than they lost during both quarters. Renovation also remained common as beekeepers requeened colonies or introduced new bees through nucleus colonies and packages.
Varroa mites remained the leading health stressor, affecting more than one-fifth of colonies early in the year and more than one-quarter during spring. Colony Collapse Disorder losses declined from the previous year.
The expanding colony count offers some reassurance for pollination-dependent crops, but maintaining those numbers requires significant labor and expense. Producers will watch mite pressure, forage conditions, weather, and replacement costs through the remainder of the season.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Higher colony numbers support pollination capacity, but replacement costs and mite pressure remain significant
