PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s honey producers have significantly increased their output, with the state now ranking second in the United States for honey production. According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, those managing five or more colonies produced a staggering 18.4 million pounds of honey in 2023, marking a 156% increase from the previous year.
The state hosted 212,000 honey-producing colonies, reflecting a 15% growth from 2022. Each colony, on average, yielded 87 pounds of honey, up 48 pounds per colony compared to 2022. By December 15, 2023, producers had 12.5 million pounds of honey in stock, a significant rise from 2.81 million pounds the year before.
However, the price of honey experienced a downturn, averaging $2.02 per pound in 2023, compared to $2.57 per pound in 2022. Despite the lower prices, the total value of honey produced last year surged to $37.3 million, a 101% increase from 2022.
Bees and Business Development a Win/Win in Southwestern North Dakota 〉
Continuing a two-decade streak, North Dakota emerged as the nation’s leading honey producer. In 2023, the state’s producers, with five or more colonies, harvested 38.3 million pounds of honey, up 23% from the previous year.
The number of honey-producing colonies slightly decreased by 2%, totaling 511,000. Despite this, the average yield per colony improved to 75 pounds, up from 60 pounds in 2022.
Producer stocks also saw an increase, with 9.20 million pounds on hand by December 15, 2023, compared to 4.68 million pounds the previous year. The price per pound of honey fell to $1.77, down from $2.60 in 2022, leading to a 16% decline in the total value of honey produced, which amounted to $67.8 million.
These figures highlight the dynamic nature of the honey industry in these states, underscoring significant production increases and the challenges of fluctuating market prices.
