A recent surge in bee losses is now impacting Texas beekeepers and may ultimately impact the price to produce.
Since June, commercial beekeepers in Texas have lost nearly two-thirds of their bee colonies.
Nationwide, those financial losses have totaled $635 million. Many now worry it will have a trickle-down effect on fruits and vegetables like watermelons and berries.
While no clear cause for the losses has been pinpointed, mites, pathogens, pesticides, and poor nutrition among bees would all play a role.
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“Getting this across the finish line is crucial to providing certainty to our farmers and ranchers.”
Wholesale egg prices decreased by 64% from their peak in late 2024, while retail prices have dropped by 27%, according to a recent USDA update.
“We’re actually seeing a decline in the prevelence of vegan, vegetarian diets. We’re seeing more interest in meat protein in general.”