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Production and value of honey and maple products
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Canada produced 62 million pounds of honey in 2008, which was one-tenth less than the 69 million pounds produced in 2007. The average yield per colony in 2008 was 106 pounds, over 10 pounds less per colony than in 2007. Alberta, which generates over one-third of Canadian honey production, saw a one-quarter reduction in honey production from 2007 to 2008. The decreasing production across provinces was reported to be due to poor weather conditions, an increasing amount of winter kill and continuing losses from varroa mites.
The number of colonies, however, remained at 585,000 managed hives, which was less than a 1% decrease from 2007. This was due to colony splitting or replacement of colonies as beekeepers tried to rebuild their honey bee population. Over the last seasons, beekeepers were facing increasing operating expenses as the cost of fuel and labour were rising. Additional costs included bee medication and the cost of operating extra hives in anticipation of winter losses.
Canada produced almost 4.9 million gallons of maple syrup in 2008, 4.8% less than the 5.1 million gallons in 2007. Quebec, which accounts for over 90% of Canadian production, reported a drop of 219,000 gallons of maple syrup collected, compared with the 2007 season. In Quebec, above-average snow falls kept day temperatures relatively cold in the early season followed quickly by a warm spring for the rest of the season. Ideal weather conditions for sap collection requires cold nights followed by sunny days.
Prices increased by more than $10 per gallon in some provinces due to continuing demand for maple syrup in the domestic and export markets. Prices ranged from $42 per gallon in Quebec to $60 per gallon in Ontario. The total value of all maple products sold in 2008 was almost $212 million or $44.4 million more than in 2007.
Available on CANSIM: tables 001-0007 and 001-0008.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 3414 and 3419.
The publication Production and Value of Honey and Maple Products, 2008 (23-221-XWE, free) is now available online. From the Publications module of our website, under Free Internet publications, choose Agriculture.
For further information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Marco Morin (613-951-2074), Agriculture Division.
