Michigan honey production for 2015 totaled 5.22 million pounds, down 9% from 2014. This estimate included honey from producers with 5 or more colonies. Nationally, Michigan ranked eighth in honey production in 2015, unchanged from a year earlier. Yields  from  Michigan’s  90,000  honey  producing  colonies  averaged  58  pounds  in  2015, compared with 63 pounds the previous year.

Related: Minnesota now 6th in U.S. for honey production

The Michigan honey price averaged $2.43 per pound, down 6 cents per pound from last year. Value of production totaled $12.7 million, down 11% from 2014. Honey stocks were 1.98 million pounds, up 8% from 2014.

Michigan honey production down 9%

Nationally, honey production in 2015 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 157 million pounds, down 12% from 2014. There were 2.66 million colonies from which honey was harvested in 2015, down 3% from 2014. Yield of honey harvested per colony averaged 58.9 pounds, down 10% from the 65.1 pounds in 2014.

Colonies which produced honey in more than one state were counted in each state where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the national level of 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 42.2 million pounds on December 15, 2015, up 2% from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.

Honey prices decreased during 2015 to $2.09 per pound, down 4% from a record high of $2.17 per pound in 2014. 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 2014 crop reflect honey sold in 2014 and 2015. Some 2014 honey was sold in 2015, which caused some revisions to the 2014 honey prices.