Production and value of honey, 2022

Released: 2022-12-14

Canadian honey producers harvested 74.4 million pounds of honey in 2022, down by 15.6% from 2021 and the lowest level since 2009. Despite an increase in beekeepers (+3.4% from 2021), fewer colonies (-8.3%) because of poor quality queens, varroa mite infestations and unfavourable weather in some provinces contributed to the drop in production. High costs for importing bees, used to replenish colonies after winter losses, presented further challenges for beekeepers. The total value of honey produced in 2022 was down by 5.6% to $253.5 million.

In 2022, honey production in Alberta, Canada's top producer, was 30.4 million pounds, down by 10.7% compared with 2021, with production also falling in Manitoba (-17.4%) and Saskatchewan (-31.5%). Poor spring conditions following a cold winter across the Prairies weakened colonies, lowering yields for the 2022 production season. The Prairie provinces account for four-fifths of Canada's total honey production.

In the first three quarters of 2022, honey exports climbed by 60.6% to 19.9 million pounds compared with the same period in 2021, with increased demand from the United States and Japan contributing to the rise. Total export sales of the sweetener rose by four-fifths to $60.1 million over the same period. Imports of honey in the first three quarters of 2022 were 16.2 million pounds, an 11.8% rise from the same period in 2021.

Contact information

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