URBANA, Ill. (RFD NEWS) — Honey bee colony numbers may look stable, but University of Illinois farmdoc economists say beekeepers are spending heavily just to maintain inventories, with many U.S. beekeepers replacing and renovating colonies fast enough to offset large annual losses.
Since 2008, beekeepers have reported losing about 41 percent of colonies per year on average. Even so, U.S. colony numbers rebounded from 2.34 million in 2008 to about 2.6 million in recent years.
That stability comes at a cost. Beekeepers buy feed, pest treatments, and replacement colonies while also splitting and renovating existing hives. Varroa mites remain the leading reported stressor, affecting nearly half of colonies during April through June.
Those costs matter beyond honey production. Many specialty crops, including almonds, apples, and sunflowers, depend on managed pollination services. Higher colony losses can raise pressure on pollination availability and pricing.
The farmdoc authors estimate 2024 colony stock losses at roughly $175 million, with rebuilding and renovation costs near $161 million.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Stable bee numbers do not equate to low risk, as beekeepers are spending more to maintain pollination capacity.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
READ MORE: https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/
AFBF Economist Samantha Ayoub discusses the latest data on Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy filings and what the troubling trend signals for the farm economy. At the same time, bigger loans and higher rates are squeezing working capital and increasing financial risk.
February 12, 2026 04:26 PM
·
Agriculture remains a key drag on regional growth amid weak prices and policy uncertainty.
February 12, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Richard Gupton of the Agricultural Retailers Association discusses the EPA’s new decision on over-the-top Dicamba and what it means for growers this year.
February 11, 2026 01:32 PM
·
Lower freight costs helped sustain export demand amid a challenging pricing environment.
February 10, 2026 06:00 AM
·
New Holland VP Ryan Schaefer shares insights into the brand’s legacy and innovations that support U.S. cattle producers.
February 09, 2026 02:46 PM
·
Rebuilding domestic textiles depends on automation and vertical integration, not tariffs or legacy manufacturing models.
February 09, 2026 12:05 PM
·
