September Celebrates National Honey Month and the Importance of Beekeepers

In the U.S., honey consumption reaches around 450 million pounds annually, yet domestic production fell to just 116 million pounds in 2025, marking a 14% decline from 2024 and the lowest output since 1939. To compensate, honey packers import honey in 55-gallon barrels, often adulterated with substances like molasses, corn syrup, or rice syrup before reaching store shelves. Over the last two decades, consumer awareness of pollinators and the vital role of honey bees in crops such as almonds and watermelons has grown, but issues with honey imports remain less visible and poorly regulated.