By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin’s honey production from beekeepers with at least five colonies reached 2.51 million pounds in 2024, as reported by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
This marks a 10% decline from the 2.79 million pounds produced in 2023. The state had 57,000 honey-producing colonies, reflecting a decrease of 5,000 compared to the previous year. These figures exclude smaller producers with fewer than five colonies and those who did not harvest honey.
The average honey yield per colony in Wisconsin was 44 pounds, slightly down from 45 pounds in 2023. Colonies producing honey in multiple states were counted in each respective state, meaning that while national yield per colony may appear lower, total production figures remain accurate.
As of December 15, 2024, honey stocks held by Wisconsin producers, not including stocks under government loan programs, amounted to 1.1 million pounds.
This represents a 10% increase from 2023. Despite the increase in stocks, the total value of Wisconsin’s 2024 honey crop fell to $8.85 million, reflecting a 9% decrease from the prior year’s $9.74 million.
The average price of honey across all marketing channels in the state rose by $0.04 per pound from 2023, reaching $3.53 per pound in 2024.
Photo Credit: istock-kerem-hanci
Categories: Wisconsin, General