Area USDA honey production reports

South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS — Honey production in 2013 from South Dakota producers with five or more colonies totaled 14.8 million pounds, down 9 percent from 2012, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. South Dakota ranked third in the nation for honey production, behind North Dakota and Montana.

There were 265,000 honey producing colonies in South Dakota during 2013, up 2 percent from 2012. Yield per colony was 56 pounds per colony, down from 63 pounds per colony in 2012. Producer stocks were 6.38 million pounds on December 15, 2013 up from 3.60 million pounds a year earlier.

Prices for the 2013 crop averaged 206 cents per pound, up from 195 cents in 2012. Prices were based on retail sales by producers and sales to private processors and cooperatives. Total value of honey produced in 2013 was 30.6 million dollars, down 4 percent from 2012.

North Dakota

FARGO, N.D. — Honey production in 2013 from North Dakota producers with five or more colonies totaled 33.1 million pounds, unchanged from 2012, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. North Dakota ranked first in the nation for honey production for the tenth consecutive year.

There were 480,000 honey producing colonies in North Dakota during 2013, unchanged from 2012. Yield per colony was 69 pounds per colony, unchanged from 2012. Producer stocks were 6.96 million pounds on December 15, 2013 up from 5.96 million pounds a year earlier.

Prices for the 2013 crop averaged 204 cents per pound, up from 192 cents in 2012. This is the highest price on record. Prices were based on retail sales by producers and sales to private processors and cooperatives. Total value of honey produced in 2013 was 67.6 million dollars, up 6 percent from 2012.

Iowa

Honey production from producers with 5 or more colonies in Iowa totaled 1.87 million pounds in 2013 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Honey report. This was a 17 percent decrease from the 2.26 million pounds produced in 2012. The number of honey producing colonies in the state rose from 37,000 colonies last year to 39,000 colonies in 2013. This number does not include producers with fewer than 5 colonies or producers who did not harvest honey. Colonies that produced honey in more than one state were counted in each state where they produced honey. Yield per colony in Iowa averaged 48 pounds, down from 61 pounds per colony in 2012. Iowa moved to nineteenth place nationally in honey production, down from seventeenth place last year.

On December 15, 2013, producer honey stocks in Iowa, excluding stocks under government loan programs, were 1.22 million pounds, a 2 percent decrease from 2012. The state’s 2013 honey crop was valued at $4.76 million, down 3 percent from the previous year’s $4.90 million. The average price per pound for all marketing channels in Iowa was $2.54, up 37 cents from 2012.

Minnesota

Honey production from producers with 5 or more colonies in Minnesota totaled 7.54 million pounds in 2013 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Honey Report. This was a 10 percent decrease from the 8.38 million pounds produced in 2012. The number of honey producing colonies in the state rose from 125,000 colonies last year to 130,000 colonies in 2013. This number does not include producers with fewer than 5 colonies or producers who did not harvest honey. Colonies that produced honey in more than one state were counted in each state where they produced honey. Yield per colony in Minnesota averaged 58 pounds, down from 67 pounds per colony in 2012. Minnesota moved to sixth place nationally in honey production, down from fifth place last year.

On December 15, 2013, producer honey stocks in Minnesota, excluding stocks under government loan programs, were 1.28 million pounds, a 19 percent decrease from 2012. The state’s 2013 honey crop was valued at $14.9 million, down 8 percent from the previous year’s $16.1 million. The average price per pound for all marketing channels in Minnesota was $1.97, up 5 cents from 2012.

United States

Honey production in 2013 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 149 million pounds, up 5 percent from 2012. There were 2.64 million colonies producing honey in 2013, up 4 percent from 2012. Yield per colony averaged 56.6 pounds, up 1 percent from the 56.0 pounds in 2012. 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 38.2 million pounds on December 15, 2013, up 20 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.

Honey prices increased to a record high during 2013 to 212.1 cents per pound, up 6 percent from 199.2 cents per pound in 2012. 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 2012 crop reflect honey sold in 2012 and 2013. Some 2012 crop honey was sold in 2013, which caused some revisions to the 2012 crop prices.