Production and value of honey and maple products

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Canadian beekeepers produced 78.1 million pounds of honey in 2011, down nearly 4.0 million pounds, or 4.8%, from 2010.

On average, each colony had a yield of 124 pounds, down from 132 pounds in 2010.

In Alberta, which accounts for over 40% of Canada's honey production, yields fell by 13 pounds per colony to 117 pounds. The decline was the result of several factors, including a long winter and rainy spring and increased splitting of colonies as farmers increased their hives.

The two other Prairie provinces account for an additional 40% of national production. In Manitoba, a hot, dry season provided good conditions for bee activity, resulting in above-average production. Yields averaged 200 pounds per colony, up from 165 pounds in 2010.

In Saskatchewan, yields and production were lower in 2011, with average yields at 177 pounds per colony, down from 214 pounds in 2010.

Canada had 7,671 beekeepers in 2011, 268 more than in 2010. They managed about 627,700 beehives, up 7,400 from 2010.

In 2010, the total value of honey produced increased to $146 million, up 15.5% from 2009.

In 2011, farmers produced 8.6 million gallons of maple syrup and maple syrup products, a 17.6% increase from 2010. The increase was the result of a favourable season and better yields in many of the maple producing regions.

The total value of maple products, including maple syrup, sugar and butter, was $349.5 million, up 20.1% from 2010.

Quebec producers accounted for 90% of maple syrup production in Canada. Quebec's total production in 2011 was 7.7 million gallons, 1 million gallons more than what was produced in 2010. This was because of a longer season along with better yields per tap. The 2011 production was 5.5% less than the record crop of 2009, which reached 8.1 million gallons.

The average price per gallon in Quebec remained relatively steady at $38.17 in 2011, compared with $37.86 in 2010.

Available on CANSIM: tables 001-0007 and 001-0008.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3414 and 3419.

The 2011 issue of Production and Value of Honey and Maple Products (23-221-X, free) is now available online. From the Key resource module of our website, under Publications, choose All subjects, then Agriculture.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Lorie Shinder (613-951-0524; lorie.shinder@statcan.gc.ca) and Marco Morin (613-951-2074; marco.morin@statcan.gc.ca), Agriculture Division.