By Scout Nelson
In 2024, North Dakota once again led the United States in honey production, holding the top spot for the 21st year in a row. According to recent data from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota producers with five or more colonies harvested 36.26 million pounds of honey. California followed with 13.33 million pounds, while South Dakota ranked third with 13.25 million pounds, and Montana came in fourth with 10.08 million pounds.
South Dakota saw a 19% increase in the number of honey-producing colonies in 2024, reaching 250,000. However, the average yield per colony dropped to 53 pounds, which was 34 pounds less than the previous year. By mid-December, producer stocks in the state were 8.75 million pounds, a decline from 12.4 million pounds in 2023. Despite lower yields, honey prices rose to $2.84 per pound, compared to $1.95 in 2023, pushing the total value of honey production to $37.6 million, up 6% from the previous year.
North Dakota had 490,000 honey-producing colonies in 2024, marking a 4% decrease from 2023. The average yield slightly dropped to 74 pounds per colony, down one pound from the previous year. However, producer stocks grew to 10.5 million pounds, up from 9.18 million pounds in 2023. The average price per pound rose to $1.86, an increase from $1.78. The total value of North Dakota’s honey production was $67.4 million, down 1% from 2023.
Across the U.S., honey production totalled 134 million pounds in 2024, representing a 4% decrease from the previous year. While the number of colonies grew to 2.60 million, the yield per colony fell to 51.7 pounds, reflecting a 6% decline.
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Categories: North Dakota, Business