AUGUSTA — USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today reported that Maine honey production increased 25 percent in 2015. Maine state officials welcomed the news while adding that the number of licensed beekeepers has almost tripled in the last decade and registered hive counts have jumped from 5,000 to more than 10,000. Despite a harsh winter in 2015, favorable weather conditions resulted in the increase in honey production.

"The number of licensed beekeepers in Maine has almost tripled in the last decade and registered hive counts have jumped from 5,000 to nearly 10,000," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "That, coupled with the news that honey production was up 25 percent last year, is yet another sign that Maine agriculture continues to make progress toward the goal of becoming the breadbasket of New England."

"Maine Maple Sunday is this weekend, but with the transition to a new season, it is also important to note that Maine produces another all natural sweetener, honey," said Commissioner Walt Whitcomb in a news release. "Maine has taken a number of steps to promote growth in natural resource products and support small entrepreneurs, including beekeepers. Regarding the production of honey, we are also pursuing strategies to protect pollinators, who are also vitally important to fruit and vegetable production. Last year, the DACF unveiled a Pollinator Protection Plan designed to reduce risks to pollinators in the state."

According to the records of State Apiarist Tony Jadczak, 975 resident beekeepers registered 9,789 hives in 2015 and 76,058 hives entered the state for crop pollination down from 83,00 in 2014. The increase in hobby beekeepers has contributed to the number of licensed beekeepers and the increase in honey production.

Maine Honey Statistics reported by NASS:
Honey production in 2015 from Maine producers with five or more colonies totaled 470 thousand pounds, up 25 percent from 2014, according to Gary Keough, State Statistician of the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, New England Field Office. There were 10 thousand colonies producing honey in 2015, up 25 percent from 2014. Yield per colony averaged 47 pounds, unchanged from 2014. Honey prices increased during 2015 to 551 cents per pound, up 10 percent from 499 cents per pound in 2014. Producer honey stocks were 47 thousand pounds on December 15, 2015, up 15 percent from a year earlier.

NASS provides accurate, timely, and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture. The Honey production report and all other NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov.