How the 2025 Climate Crisis Is Impacting Honey Production in the U.S.?

 [TL;DR] 

America's bees are dying at alarming rates. In 2025, beekeepers are losing 60-70% of their colonies, the worst crisis since 2007. Climate change is destroying the flowers bees need, with droughts and heat waves wreaking havoc. This matters because bees pollinate one-third of our food. Without them, food becomes scarce and expensive. Scientists are developing solutions like climate-resistant bee breeds, but we all need to help by planting bee-friendly flowers and supporting sustainable honey producers.

Bees are dying at an alarming rate across America. In just one year, from April 2024 to April 2025, over half of all managed bee colonies in the United States have vanished. That's millions of bees! Commercial honey bee colony losses are projected to reach 70% in 2025, compared to typical losses of 40-50% in the past decade.

Climate change is making everything worse. Extreme heat, devastating droughts, and unpredictable weather are destroying the flowers bees need to survive. Without flowers, there's no food for bees. Without bees, there's less food for us.

Honey production is worth nearly $350 million annually, but that's nothing compared to the $18 billion worth of crops that depend on bee pollination. When bees disappear, grocery prices soar and food becomes scarce.

But there's hope. Some beekeepers and honey production companies like Smiley Honey are finding ways to protect their colonies using sustainable practices and choosing locations that can weather climate extremes better than others.

The State of U.S. Honey Production in 2025

Commercial beekeepers across America are facing their worst crisis in decades. The numbers paint a grim picture of an industry under siege from unprecedented environmental pressures.

Record Losses and Alarming Trends

Scientists warn that commercial beekeepers discovered sudden mass honey bee colony losses of 60-100% starting in January 2025. This is the highest level of loss since colony collapse disorder first emerged in 2007.

A national survey conducted in collaboration with Auburn University, the Apiary Inspectors of America, Oregon State University, and others estimated that 55.6% of managed honey bee colonies were lost in the country between April 2024 – April 2025.

The devastating numbers tell the story:

• 1.6 million colonies lost with economic impacts exceeding $600 million

• 55.6% annual losses compared to the typical 40-50% in previous years

• Bankruptcy threats for operations that survived decades

• Food security risks affecting $18 billion in crop industries

• Supply chain disruptions reaching every American consumer

These unprecedented losses have forced beekeepers to dramatically alter their business models. Many operations that survived for decades are now facing bankruptcy as they struggle to maintain viable colony numbers.

3 Major Causes of Declining Honey Production

Multiple interconnected factors are creating a perfect storm for bee colonies. Climate change serves as the primary catalyst, but traditional threats continue to compound the crisis.

1. Climate Change and Weather Extremes

Extreme weather events have become the primary driver of colony losses. The 2025 climate crisis has intensified these challenges across multiple fronts.

Primary climate threats include:

• Prolonged droughts that eliminate flowering plants

• Heat waves forcing bees to work harder for thermoregulation

• Unpredictable rainfall disrupting natural foraging cycles

• Extended dry periods reducing nectar production quality

Heat waves and drought that decimated crops such as canola this summer likely caused honey production to decline by as much as 30 percent in Alberta, with similar patterns emerging across U.S. states.

Climate change has direct and indirect implications on bee physiology. Rising temperatures force bees to work harder for survival, shortening their lifespans and reducing efficiency. Drought conditions in the western U.S. dried up critical bee forage, while extreme rain in the Northeast limited flight hours.

2. Habitat Loss and Land Use Changes

Modern agricultural practices have created a perfect storm of habitat destruction. The systematic elimination of flowering plants has left bees struggling to find adequate nutrition throughout growing seasons.

Key habitat challenges:

• Herbicide applications eliminating wildflowers along field edges

• Intensive farming reducing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes

• Urban development shrinking natural flowering plant communities

• Reduced conservation programs that previously supported pollinator habitats

Environmental Research found that changes in honey yields over time were connected to herbicide application and land use changes. One of the biggest stressors to pollinators is simply a lack of flowers to provide adequate nutrition throughout the growing season.

3. Pesticides, Diseases, and Other Stressors

The situation involves multiple interconnected threats that compound climate stress. Traditional bee health challenges have become more deadly when combined with environmental pressures.

Major additional stressors:

• Varroa mites spread more rapidly in warming temperatures

• Viral diseases weaken the immune system and cannot be fought

• Pesticide exposure during pollination contracts

• Nutritional deficiencies from limited forage diversity

Colony losses could stem from nutrition deficiencies, mite infestations, viral diseases, and possible pesticide exposure during the previous pollinating season. Climate change may worsen varroa mite problems by extending the periods when mites can spread between colonies.

Regional Impacts Across the U.S.

Climate change doesn't affect all regions equally. Geographic differences in weather patterns, agricultural systems, and local ecosystems create unique challenges for beekeepers across the country.

Regional Breakdown of Impacts

Different areas face unique challenges based on local climate patterns and agricultural systems.

• Great Plains: Severe stress on 850,000 colonies dependent on sweet clover and alfalfa

• California: Disrupted almond pollination affecting million-colony annual migration

• Northern states: Traditional high-yield areas experiencing unprecedented losses

• Southern regions: Hurricane and rainfall disruptions threatening year-round operations

The Great Plains, traditionally America's honey powerhouse, experiences the most severe stress. Pollinator resources may decline in the Great Plains as the climate warms and becomes more moderate, while resources may increase in the mid-Atlantic as conditions change.

Honey products from different regions now reflect these climate impacts. Beekeepers report changes in flavor profiles as bees are forced to forage on different plant species that survive extreme weather better than traditional nectar sources.

 Shocking Stat: 

The production statistics reveal the full scope of the crisis. According to NASS, honey production in the United States dipped 4% last year to 134 million pounds. Despite having 2.6 million colonies producing honey in 2024 (a 3% increase from 2023), yield per colony averaged just 51.7 pounds, down 6% year over year . This means colonies are working harder but producing less honey per hive.

Regional Productivity Patterns

Traditional honey production zones are shifting as climate patterns change. What worked for decades in established regions may no longer be viable under new environmental conditions.

The eco-regional soil and climate conditions set baseline honey production levels. Northern states like North Dakota and Montana historically produced the highest yields, averaging 75-85 pounds per hive annually. However, 2025's extreme weather disrupted these patterns significantly.

Traditional vs. current production patterns:

• Historical leaders: North Dakota, Montana, and South Dakota with 75-85 lbs per hive

• Climate-disrupted yields: 30% reductions in traditional high-production areas

• Shifting productivity zones: Mid-Atlantic regions showing potential for increased yields

• Flavor changes: Altered nectar sources affecting honey characteristics

Southern regions face different challenges. Florida's diverse agricultural landscape supports year-round foraging, but increasingly intense hurricanes and unpredictable rainfall patterns threaten colony stability.

Join the movement to protect America's pollinators with every spoonful. Smiley Honey's certified honey comes from our own sustainable apiaries in Northwest Florida, where we've been perfecting climate-resilient beekeeping practices for over three decades.

4 Broader Consequences for Agriculture and Food Security

When bees disappear, the effects ripple through America's entire food system. What starts as a beekeeping problem quickly becomes everyone's problem at the grocery store.

1. Food Production at Risk

Honey bees pollinate 80% of crops that need insect pollinators. One-third of everything humans eat depends on these insects.

Critical crops facing threats:

• Almonds: 100% dependent, requiring over 1 million colonies annually

• Fruits: Apples, blueberries, cherries, and cranberries at 90% dependency

• Vegetables: Cucumbers, melons, and squash were significantly affected

• Livestock feed: Alfalfa and clover for beef and dairy production

Without bees, California's entire almond industry would collapse. The same threat looms over many foods Americans eat daily.

2. Economic Shockwaves

The financial pressure is crushing both beekeepers and farmers. Pollination costs have jumped from $200 to over $300 per hive in just five years.

Family beekeeping operations are selling to large corporations or shutting down entirely. Meanwhile, farmers face the prospect of crops that won't produce without adequate pollination services.

3. Supply Chain Disruptions

Bee shortages create cascading problems throughout food production. Crop schedules get disrupted when colonies arrive late or in poor condition.

Supply chain impacts:

• Delayed planting and harvesting schedules

• Increased crop insurance claims

• Food price volatility for consumers

• International trade disruptions for bee-dependent exports

4. Long-term Food Security Threats

The crisis extends beyond immediate crop losses. Reduced bee populations threaten the seed production needed for future plantings.

Many crops require bees not just for the food we eat today, but for producing the seeds that will grow tomorrow's food. This creates a dangerous cycle where each year's losses make the next year's challenges even worse.

How Beekeepers Are Saving Honey Bees from Climate Change? 

The beekeeping industry isn't giving up. Scientists, beekeepers, and communities are developing innovative approaches to protect bees from climate threats.

1. High-Tech Hive Protection

Modern technology is revolutionizing how beekeepers monitor and protect their colonies. Smart sensors now track hive conditions 24/7, alerting beekeepers to problems before they become disasters.

Technology making a difference:

• Smart monitoring systems tracking temperature, humidity, and bee activity

• Early warning alerts identifying colony stress before fatal damage

• Automated feeding systems provide nutrition during food shortages

• Climate shelters protecting hives from extreme weather events

2. Breeding Stronger Bees

Researchers are developing bee strains that can survive in harsher conditions. These "super bees" show greater resistance to heat, disease, and parasites.

Breeding programs select for traits like heat tolerance and efficient foraging. Some new bee varieties can work in temperatures that would kill traditional colonies.

3. Fighting Parasites and Disease

WSU scientists are tackling the varroa mite crisis with new treatment methods. Better nutrition research helps colonies fight off diseases naturally.

Health improvements include:

• Mite-resistant bee breeds reduce parasite damage

• Improved nutrition protocols strengthening colony immunity

• Disease monitoring systems catching outbreaks early

• Natural treatment methods reducing chemical dependency

4. Government Conservation Programs

Federal and state programs provide crucial support for pollinator habitats. The Conservation Reserve Program pays farmers to plant bee-friendly crops instead of leaving fields empty. Success in the Great Plains shows how government funding can create massive pollinator refuges. These programs have restored millions of acres of bee habitat.

5. Community-Led Initiatives

Local communities are creating urban pollinator corridors and reducing pesticide use. Educational programs teach homeowners how to create bee-friendly yards.

Community actions working:

• Urban beekeeping programs bringing hives to top cities

• Pollinator gardens in parks and schools

• Pesticide reduction campaigns protecting local bee populations

• Native plant initiatives restoring natural food sources

How Can You Help Save America's Bees?

Every person can make a real difference in protecting pollinators. Small actions add up to create meaningful change when thousands of people participate.

Plant pollinator-friendly gardens with native species that provide crucial forage during periods when agricultural crops aren't flowering. Choose landscaping plants that support pollinators rather than purely ornamental species.

Simple actions that make a difference:

• Plant native species that bloom throughout the growing season

• Reduce pesticide use in home gardens and community spaces

• Support local beekeepers by purchasing honey products directly

• Create pollinator gardens with diverse flowering plants

• Advocate for conservation policies in local government

Make every purchase count by choosing Smiley Honey's premium honey that helps bees thrive in changing climates. Our fully integrated apiary operations ensure that when you buy from us, you're directly supporting sustainable beekeeping practices that have been protecting Florida's precious river basin ecosystems since 1989.

Takeaway 

The 2025 climate crisis is a critical turning point for American honey production and food security. Every action, from planting bee-friendly gardens to supporting local beekeepers, contributes to the conservation effort. Together, we can help ensure that future generations inherit a world where bees thrive and honey products remain abundant symbols of nature's resilience.

At Smiley Honey, we're not newcomers to the challenges facing America's beekeepers. Since Donald Smiley started our operations in 1989, Smiley Honey has been creating honey products that taste like hope itself. Our raw, unfiltered honey stays alive with enzymes that corporate processing destroys.

The fruity-floral sweetness that makes our customers say this is "food from the gods" comes from trees that have adapted to Florida's challenging climate for centuries. When you choose Smiley Honey, you're choosing a partnership with nature that has stood the test of time.

Are you ready to experience the difference that three decades of passion makes?

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