Beekeeping Statistics

The most recent full-year survey from the Bee Informed Partnership shows US beekeepers lost 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies between April 2023 and April 2024. That is the highest annual loss rate since the survey began. Winter loss was 23.7%, while summer loss reached 31.4%. New beekeepers should review the common bee diseases and pests guide before adding colonies. The 55.1% annual figure does not mean 55.1% of all individual bees died on a single day. It means beekeepers had to replace more than half of their hives over a 12-month period. That replacement burden raises costs quickly. Monthly hive inspections help catch mite and queen problems before losses spread across an apiary. ...

Official US honey production statistics for the 2026 season are not yet published. The latest full-year data from USDA cover 2023, while FAO global data run through 2022. Industry forecasts point to modest US output gains and continued import dependence. This page compiles reported actuals and named forecasts for US and global honey output. These numbers matter because honey pricing is supply-driven. New beekeepers who track colony health and varroa control can sell into a market that still relies heavily on imported honey. The USDA Agricultural Research Service and FAO provide the underlying data for this page. ...

The latest verified global hive count data show roughly 101.6 million managed colonies worldwide, with India, China, and Turkey holding the largest stocks. These figures come from FAOSTAT’s 2022 country records, the most recent complete global dataset available as of 2026. For US beekeepers, USDA NASS reports about 2.70 million colonies in April 2023, while Bee Informed Partnership tracks annual losses near 48 percent. Newer country-level 2026 hive counts are not yet available, so this page uses the latest published source data only. ...

The latest complete national survey reported an annual U.S. honeybee colony loss of 48.2% for the 2022-2023 season. Full-year 2026 statistics are not yet published, but the structural pressures are stable. This page compiles verified loss rates and reported causes to frame the 2026 outlook. Annual loss above 40% forces beekeepers to replace nearly half their stock each year, which raises costs and makes winterizing hives a critical part of loss control. ...

U.S. commercial beekeeping operated from 2.76 million managed colonies and produced 139 million pounds of honey in 2023. Farm-gate honey sales reached $351 million at an average $2.52 per pound. The broader U.S. beekeeping market was valued at $3.21 billion and a reported 5.6% CAGR implies a 2026 value near $3.8 billion. For a full cost breakdown of entering the trade, start with how much beekeeping costs. Farm-gate honey revenue alone understates commercial beekeeping income. Pollination contracts, queen and nuc sales, beeswax, and propolis add material cash flow. The USDA Agricultural Research Service notes that colony health research drives yield stability. This is why revenue tables separate honey values from total market size. ...

US beekeepers lost an estimated 48.2% of managed colonies in the 2022-2023 Bee Informed Partnership national survey, the most recent full-year loss report published as of early 2026. Federal data counted 2.51 million colonies on January 1, 2024, down 6% from the prior year. These losses are not one disease. They reflect varroa mites, viruses, queen failures, and pesticide stress. Use the varroa mite treatment guide for the top documented driver of colony decline. ...

The global beekeeping market was valued at USD 7.20 billion in 2023 and reached USD 7.47 billion in 2024, according to Fortune Business Insights. If its 4.37% CAGR holds, the 2026 market size lands near USD 8.1 billion. U.S. producers managed 2.51 million honey-producing colonies in 2023 and produced 139 million pounds of honey. For first-time setup costs and choices, see the complete beginners guide to starting your first honey beehive. ...

Backyard beekeeping remains the main entry point for new beekeepers in the US. USDA data shows about 2.71 million honey-producing colonies in 2023, with most beekeepers managing fewer than 25 hives. Startup costs for a single well-equipped hive typically run $400-$800, depending on gear and bees. See what a first hive really costs before you buy. Colony counts stay stable even as annual loss rates hover near 48%. New backyard beekeepers are replacing winter losses and adding hives each spring. The 52.4-pound average yield covers commercial and hobby hives together. Backyard hives in good forage often produce less, around 40-60 pounds. See how much honey one hive produces for yield variables. ...