Southeast United States Honey Report
Honey Report for the Southeast United States including market conditions and pricing.
ALABAMA: No report issued.
FLORIDA: Temperatures and precipitation were about normal for the month. Bee health was considered to be good. Most beekeepers were finishing up mite treatments and hive splitting early in the month. The last few hives outside the state returned to Florida. Spanish Needle and Goldenrod along with a few other wildflowers supplied adequate food for most hives. Melaleuca was also available in southern Florida. Supplemental feeding was only necessary for a small portion of producers. Brazilian Pepper honey was being removed from hives with most beekeepers reporting about average production.
Average production is usually considered to be around 70-80 pounds per hive. Prices did appear to be a little lower than reported in late September and into October. Some beekeepers were storing the honey hoping for higher prices later in the year. This resulted in a moderate amount of stored Brazilian Pepper honey at the end of the month with fairly good demand.
GEORGIA: Earlier in the month rain had washed away pollen from several sources remaining for fall and by the end of the month cold weather had kept the bees inside the hives. Beekeepers are checking hives to make sure there is plenty of food in reserves for the winter months ahead and are hoping that the weather cooperates so that they can split hives and prepare them for the Queens in January. Prices remain steady.
NORTH CAROLINA: Temperatures in North Carolina were above normal for November with a statewide average temperature of 55.2°F. Precipitation was also above normal, with the State experiencing heavy moisture from Tropical Storm Eta. Overall statewide soil moisture levels were rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 74.5 percent adequate, and 24.5 percent surplus the week ending November 28. The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council reported zero counties as having outstanding drought or dryness.
Inclement weather, from irregular precipitation to above normal temperatures, continued to affect foraging. When conditions allowed, bees could be seen working Aster; Heartsease, Smartweed; Bitterweed; Joe-Pye Weed; Sunflower; and Goldenrod.
Commercial pollinator operations continued to rest and replenish hives in preparation for the California almond pollination season in February 2021. Replacement bee operations were also resting and replenishing hives; demand for bees at this time is seasonally light as beekeepers do not want to feed and protect them throughout the winter.
Demand for honey is seasonally light but is expected to increase during the holiday shopping season. Supply is light with many beekeepers already sold out. Retail prices at the Raleigh State Farmers’ Market were generally unchanged: $7.00-$8.00 per 8-ounce jar, $12.00-$13.00 per 16 ounce jar, $20.00-$22.00 per 32 ounce jar, and $18.00 per 44 ounce jar; processed honey, creamed, was $10.00 per 16 ounce jar. Prices at the Piedmont Triad Farmers’ Market in Greensboro were also unchanged at: $8.00-$12.00 per 8-ounce jar, $12.00-$18.00 per 22-ounce jar, and $20.00 per 32-ounce jar.
SOUTH CAROLINA: No report issued.
