California led the nation in honey production a decade ago, but the state has dropped to fifth as production declined. This year the drought threatens to cut the honey supply even more.
According to the USDA, California produced about 11 million pounds of honey last year ... 15 million pounds less than in 2010.
This year beekeepers expect even lower totals because of the drought.
Beekeeper Donald Sanchez from Merced County has seen his production drop by 50 percent and says growers are planting fewer crops due to the drought.
"A lot less cotton this year than there has been in the years in the past which we rely on a lot as far as the summer honey crop goes which of course cuts your production down."
Sanchez says without the crops he has had to spend $14,000 in sugar syrup to feed his bees this year.
The National Honey Board shows the price of honey climbing by 65 percent over the last eight years...and California's shortage may boost prices even more.
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
