mi-press-releases News Release NR-12-22 April 2, 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Michigan Field Office Michigan Department of Agriculture Post Office Box 30239 Lansing, MI 48909-6248 Phone: (517) 324-5300 Facsimile: (517) 324-5299 E-mail: nass-mi@nass.usda.gov Web site: www.nass.usda.gov Jay V. Johnson, Director Michigan Honey Production Up 15 Percent Michigan honey production for 2011 totaled 4.74 million pounds, up 15 percent from 2010. This estimate included honey from producers with 5 or more colonies. Nationally, Michigan ranked seventh in honey production in 2011. Michigan was ranked ninth in 2010. Yields from Michigan's 74,000 colonies producing honey averaged 64 pounds in 2011, compared with 58 pounds the previous year. Michigan honey price averaged $1.76 per pound, up 9 cents per pound from last year. Value of production totaled $8.34 million, up 21 percent from 2010. Honey stocks were 2.08 million pounds, up 37 percent from 2010. Nationally, Honey production in 2011 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 148 million pounds, down 16 percent from 2010. There were 2.49 million colonies producing honey in 2011, down 7 percent from 2010. Yield per colony averaged 59.6 pounds, down 9 percent from the 65.6 pounds in 2010. 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 36.8 million pounds on December 15, 2011, down 18 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 2011 to 172.9 cents per pound, up 7 percent from 161.9 cents per pound in 2010. 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 2010 crop reflect honey sold in 2010 and 2011. Some 2010 crop honey was sold in 2011, which caused some revisions to the 2010 crop prices. Honey: Production and value, Michigan, 2007-2011 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Honey : Honey :--------------------------------------------------------------------- Year : producing : Yield per : :Average price: Value of : Stocks : colonies : colony : Production : per pound : production : Dec. 15 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Thousands Pounds 1,000 pounds Cents 1,000 dollars 1,000 pounds : 2007 : 72 64 4,608 119 5,484 2,350 2008 : 71 73 5,183 144 7,464 2,021 2009 : 66 60 3,960 155 6,138 1,505 2010 : 71 58 4,118 167 6,877 1,524 2011 : 74 64 4,736 176 8,335 2,084 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes only producers with five colonies or more. 2/ Stocks held by producers.