According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, honey production in 2020 from North Dakota producers with five or more colonies totaled 38.6 million pounds, up 14% from 2019. North Dakota ranked first in the nation for honey production for the 17th consecutive year.

There were 495,000 honey producing colonies in North Dakota during 2020, down 5% from 2019. Average yield was 78 pounds per colony, up 13 pounds from 2019. Producer stocks were 8.11 million pounds on December 15, 2020 up from 6.42 million pounds a year earlier.

Prices for the 2020 crop averaged $1.60 per pound, up from $1.43 per pound in 2019. Prices were based on retail sales by producers and sales to private processors and cooperatives. Total value of honey produced in 2020 was $61.8 million, up 28% from 2019.