Pollination costs per acre and per colony increased in 2023 in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, according to a USDA report.

“Beekeepers are like the rest of agriculture. Our costs continue to rise,” said Tim Hiatt, a second-generation beekeeper in Ephrata, Wash.

More bee information

Researchers get $4.2 million to study honeybee disease

University of Idaho hires new entomologist

Honeybee colony losses above average

Western Innovator: Beekeeper has unique urban operation

Breeding better bees: Genetic diversity creates stronger hives

He pointed to increased labor costs from overtime laws and other factors, as well as higher fuel prices impacting freight.

Insurance and even bee mite treatments have increased in price, said Joe Maresh, president of the Oregon State Beekeepers Association.

“It’s just the cost of doing business,” he added.

Heavy colony losses from mites and other problems have almost become a fixed cost for the industry, said Hiatt, a member of the Washington State Beekeepers Association.

Maresh said most of commercial beekeepers’ revenue in the Northwest comes from pollination fees, and roughly 25% is from honey or hive products.

Overall trends

Pollination price per acre increased 11% to $82.60, and the price per colony also rose 11% to $61.70.

The number of colonies used jumped 28% compared to 2022, hitting 399,700.

Paid pollinated acres for all crops increased 29% to 285,400.

The total value of pollination in the region increased 41% to $24.7 million.

Tree fruit

Apples were the top crop for paid pollination acreage in the Northwest and Alaska with 139,500, almost as much land as others combined. The acreage was a 34% increase over 2022.

Total value of pollination for apples soared 48% to $9.76 million, also the high mark for the region.

The number of colonies used by apple growers hit 164,000, jumping 45%.

The price per acre increased 8% to $68 for apples and the cost per colony rose 2% to $59.50.

Despite decreases, cherries were the second most valuable crop for beekeepers.

Cherry acres pollinated dropped 11% to 36,100 and total value of pollination decreased 20% to $3.79 million.

Colonies used by cherry growers plummeted 22% to 62,000.

Price per acre decreased 10% to $104 for cherries and price per colony increased 2% to $61.20.

Pears had a 19% increase in paid pollinated acres to 23,800 and pollination value for the crop climbed to $1.36 million, up 6%.

Berries

Blueberries had some of the largest percentage increases for any crops measured in the USDA report.

Paid pollinated acres surged 77% for blueberries, hitting 23,500.

“If that happens again, they’re going to be hard pressed to find enough bees to pollinate,” Hiatt said.

European foulbrood disease is tied to blueberries, and some beekeepers, including Hiatt, are refusing to pollinate that crop, as they worry about losing honey revenue as a result.

The total value of pollination for the blueberry industry jumped 82%, reaching $3.62 million, third-highest in the report.

Colonies used by blueberries increased 64% to 64,000.

Price per acre hit $150, up 10%, and price per colony rose 11% to $56.50

Pollinated cranberry acreage increased 46% to 6,000 and total value jumped 54% to $737,000.

Raspberries paid pollinated acres dropped 37% to 2,600 and value dipped 27% to $191,000.