Honey production from producers with five or more colonies in Wisconsin totaled 2.79 million pounds in 2023, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was 4 percent lower than the 2.92 million pounds produced in 2022.
The number of honey-producing colonies in the state, at 62,000, was up 9,000 from 2022. This number does not include producers with fewer than five colonies or producers who did not harvest honey.
Yield per colony in Wisconsin averaged 45 pounds, compared to 55 pounds per colony in 2022.
Wisconsin ranked 11th nationally in honey production, equal to 2022.
Colonies that produced honey in more than one state were counted in each state where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the United States level yield per colony may be understated, but total production would not be impacted.
On Dec. 15, 2023, producer honey stocks in Wisconsin, excluding stocks under government loan programs, were 1,004 thousand pounds, 23 percent higher than in 2022.
The state’s 2023 honey crop was valued at $8.43 million, down 10 percent from the previous year’s $9.39 million.
The average price per pound for all marketing channels in Wisconsin was $3.02, down 20 cents from 2022.
