Michigan Ag Connection - Michigan Honey Production Down 27 Percent

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Michigan Honey Production Down 27 Percent
Michigan Ag Connection - 03/16/2018

Michigan honey production for 2017 totaled 3.92 million pounds, down 27 percent from 2016. This estimate included honey from producers with 5 or more colonies. Nationally, Michigan ranked ninth in honey production in 2017, down one rank from 2016. Yields from Michigan's 87,000 honey producing colonies averaged 45 pounds in 2017, compared with 60 pounds the previous year.

The Michigan honey price averaged $2.41 per pound, up 4 cents per pound from last year. Value of production totaled $9.4 million, down 25 percent from 2016. Honey stocks were 822 thousand pounds, down 52 percent from 2016.

Nationally, honey production in 2017 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 148 million pounds, down 9 percent from 2016. There were 2.67 million colonies producing honey in 2017, down 4 percent from 2016. Yield per colony averaged 55.3 pounds, down 5 percent from the 58.3 pounds in 2016. 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 30.6 million pounds on December 15, 2017, down 26 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.

Honey prices increased 2 percent during 2017 to 215.6 cents per pound, compared to 211.9 cents per pound in 2016. 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 2016 crop reflect honey sold in 2016 and 2017. Some 2016 crop honey was sold in 2017, which caused some revisions to the 2016 crop prices.

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