Honey shortage Of 2026
The 2026 honey shortage is a supply-and-demand crisis driven by record-low U.S. honey production coupled with an all-time high consumer demand. Because U.S. output is plummeting, you will likely see higher retail prices and less availability of pure, domestic honey on grocery shelves. The shortage's severity is defined by a few specific factors. Why U.S. Honey Supply is Shrinking. Catastrophic Hive Losses: U.S. beekeepers experienced unprecedented colony losses, driven heavily by pesticide-resistant Varroa mites and extreme weather. Commercial losses have sat at record highs, leading to significant die-offs.. Pollination Over Honey: The commercial beekeeping industry makes significantly more money renting their bees out to pollinate major crops like California almonds than they do harvesting and selling honey. Many beekeepers no longer prioritize honey extraction, shifting its status to a mere byprodu...