Much of the nation reported a great deal of snow and stretches of brutal cold this past winter, though some warmer temps were reported to the West and Northwest. Colony health varied by state and region, but as of February we weren’t hearing reports of the kinds of heavy losses seen last year.
Retail honey sales are holding up just about everywhere, as consumers especially place value on local honey. On the flip side, larger producers continue to take a hit from imported honey of questionable quality.
Northeast
The Pennsylvania winter was bitter cold with “snow, snow and more snow” — 43″ in January alone on the western side. Colonies were weak to average due to a rough 2025, but that snow cover should bode well for spring nectar flows. Demand is rising for mite-resistant stock.
It’s been cold in New Hampshire, too, and colonies are of about average strength. One reporter jokes that he doesn’t rent bees for pollination, as rocks in the Granite State reproduce just fine in the soil without it.
Colonies looked strong in New York, and soil moisture at this point is better than last year. Retail honey demand continues strong.
Maryland’s colonies were in good condition, though some overwintered nucs succumbed to the extended cold. Some strong ones required feeding.
Mideast
Tennessee bees overwintered well, and were brooding up in February, as warming weather allowed for early foraging. Retail demand seems to have dropped a bit.
Kentucky saw a cold, hard winter, but weather warmed in mid-February. Colonies were in fair condition but needed feeding. Retail sales are strong.
Virginia’s winter was also hard, especially in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Colonies came came through in average condition. While many beekeepers try to avoid spotted lanternfly honeydew, others have had success marketing it. Pollination fees range from $110-150 per hive depending on the crop.
Southeast
Alabama bees came out of a mild winter in strong to average condition, and were bringing in pollen from alder, blueberry, dandelion, elm and red maple. Retail honey is selling well, but the wholesale market continues to suffer as honey packers turn down U.S. product in favor of cheap foreign honey.
Georgia colonies also looked strong in February, though some needed feeding. Facebook Marketplace is a good sales outlet, and sourwood honey commands a premium.
Colder South Carolina weather kept bees clustered longer, but they were bringing in a little pollen from dandelions and other unknown sources. February rains were beginning to address statewide drought conditions. Demand is strong for local nucs and Georgia packages, both of which sold out early last year. Local honey sells for about double that of Costco and other big-box stores.
A record-cold winter in Florida weakened colonies and delayed spring buildup, and might also delay queens and packages. Blueberry pollination is paying about $65 per hive, compared to $170-185 for almonds. Cheap imports continue to hammer the wholesale market, and some crooks are even passing it off as “local” honey.
Southwest
East Texas colonies were in fair condition, but required feeding due to a poor fall flow. February was dry and warm, with early blooms, but without rain it’ll be another poor year.
Colonies looked okay, and well-stocked, in New Mexico. Local honey demand is good. More beekeepers are interested in mite-resistant stock from Randy Oliver and others.
East Central
Some Indiana beekeepers saw high losses, while surviving colonies were in fair condition. Ground moisture is about average.
Ohio colonies endured extended cold spells, meaning long breaks between cleansing flights. But most had good weight coming out of winter. Sales were good at wholesale and retail.
Wisconsin saw a cold winter and higher than average losses. Honey sales are strong, but too many beekeepers provide pollination services at low prices or even no charge. Cranberries and pumpkins should both pay over $100/hive.
Illinois is coming out of drought, but losses were high again, due in part to increased mite pressure and a brutal winter. One frustrated reporter is looking for an exit strategy, saying the business requires “more and more inputs to stay in the same place.”
Many Michigan colonies were weak following a winter with long periods of extreme cold. Sales are good, but packaging prices continue to rise. Beekeepers are looking forward to the new mite-control options on the market.
West Central
Winter was colder and swowier than usual in Missouri, but colonies that went in strong were in fair to good shape in February, though some needed feeding. Demand for local honey is still quite strong.
Winter was a bit milder in west-central Kansas. Colonies were in fair condition, with some feeding needed. Retail sales are good, but honey packers continue to offer low prices for larger producers.
Commercial beekeepers in Iowa saw large losses for the second year in a row, despite not using amitraz, leaving one reporter to ask, “Where are the federal labs?”
Intermountain
Colorado’s winter was warm and dry, and as of February had its lowest snow pack in history. Rain was desperately need to improve chances of a good honey crop. Colonies were in average condition, stores were good, and maple pollen was coming in.
Nevada’s bees were weaker than usual due to fall mite pressure. Honey sales continue to be strong.
Wyoming and Utah were strong due to better health going into winter. One reporter has moved primarily to Amazon for retail sales.
West
Washington had a warm winter, and colonies were fair to strong in February. While still snow-covered in the north, bees farther south were gathering hazelnut and alder pollen.
California’s almond orchards were long on colonies this year, partly because of fewer bearing acres, and some growers paid as little as $175/hive.
Oregon’s winter was warm and a little dry. Colonies were in fair condition, and gathering pollen from hazelnuts and early bulbs.
