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NATIONAL HONEY MARKET NEWS ARKANSAS ALBERTA & MANITOBA EAST COAST. . . ARGENTINA CALIFORNIA BEESWAX MARKET SITUATION --- NOVEMBER, 1999 (unbleached, raw beeswax, delivered to handlers's warehouse) Offerings of wax continue to be light as producers are sitting on this crop rather than sell at current prices. Handlers are not reporting any shortages as sales to candle companies began to pick up as the holiday season approaches. There was a wide range in prices being paid for light colored wax at $1.20 - 1.40 per pound with most trading at $1.20. Small amounts of dark colored wax were purchased at $1.10. |
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MARKET CONDITIONS DURING NOVEMBER APPALACHIAN DISTRICT - (MD, PA, VA, WV) Beekeepers have prepared colonies for the winter and a few beekeepers have shipped colonies to southern locales. Colonies are very healthy and in fairly good condition. There is some concern over the amount of food stores, which is reported to be variable throughout the Appalachian District. The goldenrod and aster bloom was good and many colonies were able to build sufficient stores. However, in some areas, the weather hindered nectar collection and colonies were unable to build stores to a comfortable level. There were isolated reports of resistance to Apistan and also the Terramycin. The first cold temperatures of the winter occurred this week with lows in the upper 20's and wind chills even lower. Warmer temperatures (lows in the mid-30's) are expected by late week. CALIFORNIA The first week of November was fairly normal with temperatures ranging from the upper 60's to low 80's inland and in the 50's and 60's along the coast. The beginning of the next week, a series of Pacific storms moved through the state, bringing widespread rains and significant snowfall to the mountains. Around the 15th, a high pressure system allowed temperatures to climb above normal when highs reached the 80's and low 90's. Conditions changed almost daily through the end of November. Rain and snow fell in the mountains, small amounts of rain fell in Southern California while the north reported precipitation on several days. Despite the rain, many areas are way below their normal precipitation levels. The bees are reported to be in fairly good condition. In the south, they are sitting along rivers in the desert waiting for the eucalyptus to bloom. Pollen patties and strips for mites were being added as the bees prepare for winter. More feed than usual was sometimes needed in Northern and Central California but cooler temperatures were beginning to keep the bees clustered. Some dead-outs were being discovered, especially in colonies that were used to pollinate alfalfa seed. Beekeepers think it could be because they are setting closer to areas that were sprayed with pesticides. Queen breeders and package producers were beginning to get orders for spring delivery. Beekeeping supply companies reported business to be very slow because of low honey prices. Beekeepers are bringing in honey to trade for supplies or are only purchasing essential items such as syrup, pollen substitutes or mite-treatment strips. Honey sales are also increasing with the upcoming holiday season. COLORADO The month of November continued to see temperatures above normal for most of the month. Several record high temperatures were broken throughout the month. Daytime highs averaged from the mid 60s to the mid 70s, with the lows generally in 20s to the lower 30s. Colorado received very little moisture during November. Moisture levels to this date are now about normal for this time of the year. Bee colonies kept instate during the winter months are said to be in fairly good shape due to the above normal temperatures for most of the state. Migratory colonies being kept in California and South Texas are said to be progressing well in their winter yards with little supplemental feeding. Honey sales are said to be fairly good as the holidays are approaching. FLORIDA Temperatures were cool the first part of the month. The warmer temperatures returned the middle part of the month. Cooler temperatures remained the last part of the month. Most lows were in the 40's and 50's while most highs were in the 70's and 80's. Rainfall varied from no rain to over two inches. The bees are gathering a little bit of nectar from Spanish needle and other wildflowers. The Brazilian pepper crop was short due to the effects of the hurricanes. Around 50% of the honey from was from Brazilian Pepper. The flow was spotty but really good. Most of the beekeepers are controlling the mites and beetles. There is no demand for Florida honey. The market is very poor. GEORGIA Colonies around the state were in fair to good condition. The fall honey flows in middle and north Georgia were generally less than favorable. Bees were unable to increase their level of stores at most locations around the state. Due to the unfavorable honey flow in the fall, beekeepers were actively involved in the past month or so in supplemental feeding as colonies approach the winter months. Feeding was heavy at many locations. Additional activities in the month included fall maintenance programs. IDAHO Wet weather set all kinds of records throughout the state, with four record highs, making this November the 6th warmest on record. Only trace amounts of precipitation were recorded during the month. The water year precipitation total is .50" or I .57" below normal. A few commercial beekeepers have started to relocate hives to California for the winter, others will get started in December. Colonies seem to be in good shape with good stores for the winter. ILLINOIS Continued dry weather and warmer than normal temperatures was reported over most of the state. Most colonies were in good condition heading into the winter. According to The Illinois Agricultural Service, soil moisture was rated 38% very short, 54% short and 8% adequate. Many beekeepers reported an increase in supplemental feeding demand due to the mild temperatures and the lack of rainfall. The first and mid-month, several cities reported near or record high temperatures. The last week in the month, most areas of the state received light to moderate rainfall to relieve some of the near drought conditions. Most beekeepers reported honey sales were good due to baking for the holidays. INDIANA Most of the month temperatures in the 60's and 70's was reported over most of the state. Generally most of the state reported soil moisture was short. Many beekeepers reported very little floral sources had survived the prior frosts. In protected areas around out buildings or fence rows some daisy, petunia, geranium and snapdragon were still in bloom. Colonies were generally in good condition going into winter as hives had many days for cleansing flights. Some hives had ample honey stores for overwintering while supplemental feeding was required by many colonies. Honey sales were reported brisk due to increased demand for holiday baking. MISSISSIPPI Colonies around the state were generally in good condition. There was very little activity occurring around the state in November. There were some reports of supplemental feeding occurring in colonies with light stores. Beekeepers were also closely inspecting colonies for mite infestation, cleaning up bee yards, and involved in equipment maintenance. MISSOURI & IOWA The most notable item about the bee operations during November was the continued dry, warm weather. Precipitation ranged from slightly below normal to much below normal for November. The exception in precipitation levels was in Iowa with the total at Waterloo for the year at 43.40" which is 11" above normal. The rest of Iowa had rainfall totals from slightly below to slightly above normal. Missouri rainfall total s for the year were generally 2 - 5" below normal with the deficit generally since June. Colonies were still eating more of the food reserves than normal because the bees were able to be active and the pollen and nectar sources were almost gone. Dry weather has made travel conditions to the yards ideal & feeding conditions for the colonies very good. Beekeepers who pack their own honey were busy with holiday orders In addition to their regular wholesale/retail trade. Trading activity at the wholesale was slow. Conditions of the colonies were generally very good. Feeding requirements are expected early next spring. At the annual Iowa Honey Producers meeting on November 19-20th, beekeepers reported near normal honey yields per hive of about 70 pounds. The formal Agricultural Statistics Report will be issued later. MONTANA Conditions across the state continued to be unseasonably mild during November with some areas beginning to dry out. Hives that are wintered in Montana have been wrapped and set in holding yards. On days when it was sunny and temperatures climbed over 40 degrees, the bees took numerous cleansing flights. Other hives are setting in California waiting for the almond bloom. NEVADA November continued the trend of the last few months with dry conditions and warmer weather. Precipitation was sporadic and well below normal levels. This was the second warmest November on record. The bees are pretty well wrapped up and treated for the winter. The lack of rain/snow has some worried about irrigation water availability for next year. Over the years there has been a reduction of foraging areas for the bees and less irrigated crops as well. With new water management districts exercising even more control over water usage. NEW ENGLAND Most beekeepers report that their colonies are in good condition going into the winter. They also report that they did have to feed quite extensively in late October into early November to build up stores for the winter. A late stretch of mild weather in the earlier part of the month allowed bees to go on cleansing flights. Beekeepers were also able to perform some last minute clean-up and maintenance on their hives before closing them up for the winter. This will be the last report of the season for the New England area. Reports will resume in the spring when significant activity starts in the hives. NORTH CAROLINA Moisture levels across the state have been variable, with the mountains receiving some much needed rain during the last week of the month. In the Piedmont and eastern portion of the state, there is concern about the light weight of the colonies as they enter the winter months. It also appears that some colonies shut down their brood rearing earlier than normal. Beekeepers in the eastern part of the state are being urged to monitor their hives for mites, as there is some evidence that the mites are becoming resistant to the strips. If this appears to be a problem, beekeepers need to contact their state apiary officials. Retail honey sales over the holidays were reported to be moderate. OREGON Temperatures were mild across the state during November except for a short stretch the middle of the month when record daytime highs were recorded, especially in Eastern Oregon. Frequent and heavy rains were also noted in Western Oregon along with snow in the Cascade Mountains. The first major storm of the fall season hit the coast the end of the month. Heavy rains, overflowing rivers and mudslides made Thanksgiving a mess, closing several highways and virtually cutting off two coastal counties from the rest of the state. As of the 27th of the month, numerous roads were still blocked by trees and mudslides or covered with water. The weather service reported the states precipitation was nearly 3" ahead of a normal November. Most commercial beekeepers reported their bees are in good condition but they made sure they were on higher ground. They were also diligent in checking to see if the feed they put on or left on in October was lasting. They were also busy making seasonal repairs to their equipment. A few beekeepers noted significant problems with yellow jackets this fall. They sometimes wiped out entire colonies along with any honey. Honey sales have been fairly slow but both commercial and small packers are hoping for an increase in demand with the holidays approaching. UTAH Above normal temperatures and little precipitation was the rule for most of the month. The water precipitation total 1.83" below normal. Most beekeepers have finished with preparation for winter and report that colonies seem to be in good shape. Commercial beekeepers have started moving hives to California for the almond bloom. Holiday honey sales have been slow so far this year. Near the Utah - Nevada border, Africanized honeybees were reported in Mesquite, Nevada (120 miles northeast of Las Vegas), when a public works employee was stung repeatedly. There are no confirmed reports of the seen in southern Utah, but experts say the bees could reach southern Utah at any time. (AP) WASHINGTON Conditions were fairly mild in Western Washington the first part of November. Intermittent sun mixed with the clouds and daytime highs were in the mid-50's while lows dropped into the mid-30's. By the 11th, heavy rains hit the area, closing major mountain passes when it combined with melting snow, flooding the roads with a foot of water. Rainfall totals for 24 hours ending the 12th hit 2-3". Several rivers on the west side also overflowed when the water rose 6 feet above flood stage. The bees are reported to be in good condition as they have learned to adjust to the wet weather. On a few sunny days, when temperatures were in the 50's, they took frequent cleansing flights. Because conditions have been mile, with no heavy frost, many ornamental flowers continue to bloom. Some feed was added to colonies that weren't left with adequate stores last fall. There were also reports of a few hives getting caught in the flood waters. The weather was also fairly mild in Eastern Washington. An unusual warm front moved across the area the middle of the month, setting record high temperatures. Yakima shattered last years record high of 63 degrees when it hit 72 degrees and Walla Walla jumped over 80 degrees. Nighttime lows were mostly in the 30's but occasionally dropped into the low 20's. Periodic rains also occurred across the region with snow falling in the Cascades. Bees wintered in the state are reported to be in fairly good condition. Hives were opened and colony size and food supplies were checked. Some beekeepers added honey they had saved when they extracted this years crop to lighter colonies. Migratory beekeepers finished hauling their bees to holding yards in California the first of the month and then went back towards the end of November to take out mike treatments. They are reported to be in very good condition despite the warm, dry weather that has kept them very active and eating stores. WISCONSIN Dry conditions and above normal temperatures helped farmers complete harvest and other fail activities. Beekeepers however increased fall feeding as warm temperatures depleted honey stores more rapidly than generally occurs. According to the National Weather Service, the state had between 21 & 29 inches of rainfall this past growing season. This was four inches above normal, however it was pointed out most rainfall fell earlier in the growing season. By the end of the month some parts of the state reported measurable snowfall. Some beekeepers had reported colonies were in generally good condition heading into winter. Colonies had been treated with either Apistan or CheckMite in late August or early September were doing well. Hives that had no treatment or treated in early spring were showing signs of varroa mites. State figures from the 1999 fall survey show a 10% increase in colony losses which were been blamed on varroa mites, chalkboard and American foulbrood. Honey sales were generally good do to holiday baking demand |
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SOURCE: U. S. Dept. Of Commerce, Bureau of the Census - Foreign Trade Division |
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U.S. EXPORTS OF HONEY BY COUNTRY OF DESTINATION, QUANTITY & VALUE SEPTEMBER, 1999 & YEAR TO DATE TOTALS FOR 1999
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CANADA ... ANNUAL HONEY REPORT ... 1999 PRODUCTION: SITUATION & OUTLOOK... HONEY PRODUCERS HARVESTED THE LARGEST CROP EVER RECORDED IN CANADA DURING 1998 REFLECTING GOOD WEATHER IN ALL HONEY PRODUCING REGIONS & ABOVE HISTORICAL AVERAGE YIELDS. STATISTICS CANADA CURRENTLY ESTIMATES THE 1998 HONEY CROP AT 42,456 MT, NEARLY 400% ABOVE THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEAR AVERAGE. FOR 1999, LESS FAVORABLE WEATHER IN WESTERN CANADA IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN A SHARP DECUNE FROM LAST YEARS RECORD PRODUCTION LEVEL. PRESENT PROSPECTS POINT TO A TOTAL CANADIAN HONEY CROP IN 1999 NEAR 34,000 MT, ABOUT 200% BELOW THE RECORD 1998 PRODUCTION, BUT STILL ABOVE THE 1993-1997 AVERAGE OF JUST UNDER 31,000 MT. CANADA'S PRAIRIE PROVINCES (ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN & MANITOBA) ACCOUNT FOR THREE QUARTERS OF TOTAL CANADIAN HONEY PRODUCTION. THE REGION, WHICH COMBINES VAST EXPANSES OF FLOWERING FORAGE CROPS & LONG SUMMER DAYS, PROVIDES HISTORICAL AVERAGE YIELDS OF 60 KG PER HIVE. FOR THE RECORD 1998 HONEY CROP, AVERAGE YIELDS NATIONALLY REACHED 82 KG LED BY SASKATCHEWAN WHERE HIVES YIELDED A 109 KG AVERAGE. ALBERTA IS THE TOP PRODUCING PROVINCE & ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF TOTAL PRODUCTION. ACCORDING TO STATISTICS CANADA, THE NUMBER OF BEEKEEPERS IN CANADA INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN 1998 TO 11,192 FROM 10,880 A YEAR EARLIER, BUT THE TREND IS TO FEWER BEEKEEPERS WITH MORE HIVES. IN 1998, BEEKEEPERS KEPT AN AVERAGE 46 HIVES EACH COMPARED TO THE 1992-1996 FIVE YEAR AVERAGE OF 42 HIVES PER PRODUCER. (1) = estimates (2) = new producing provinces CONSUMPTION: PRICES.. IN AUGUST 1999, PROVINCIAL APIARISTS REPORTED CANADIAN HONEY PRODUCERS WERE RECEIVING APPROXIMATELY C$0.75 PER POUND FOR BULK HONEY. FROM A HIGH OF C$1.25-C$1.30 IN 1996, PRICES TO PRODUCERS FELL TO $CO.95-C$1.00 IN 1997 AND TO ABOUT C$0.82 CENTS DURING 1998.
PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION.. .THE FOLLOWING TABLE PREPARED FROM STATISTICS CANADA DATA SHOWS APPARENT CANADIAN HONEY CONSUMPTION FOR THE PERIOD 1993-1998. STATISTICS CANADA'S HONEY CONSUMPTION SERIES DOES NOT MAKE AN ALLOWANCE FOR HONEY STOCKS. CONSEQUENTLY, OFFICIAL CANADIAN HONEY CONSUMPTION STATISTICS TRACK DOMESTIC PRODUCTION LEVELS AND TRADE ON A CALENDAR YEAR BASIS AND FOR 1998 MAY OVERSTATE ACTUAL HONEY CONSUMPTION. A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF HONEY FOR EXPORT FROM THE LARGE 1998 HONEY CROP WAS NOT EXPORTED UNTIL 1999.
STOCKS: POSTS ESTIMATES THAT CANADIAN HONEY STOCKS AT THE END OF 1998 ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY TO ABOUT 7,000 METRIC TONS AFTER PRODUCERS HARVESTED THE LARGEST HONEY CROP ON RECORD. INCREASED CANADIAN EXPORTS OF HONEY IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1999 LARGELY REFLECT THE HIGHER CARRY-OVER STOCKS FROM THE RECORD 1998 CROP. HONEY STOCK LEVELS IN 1999 ARE EXPECTED TO DECLINE THROUGHOUT THE CURRENT YEAR REFLECTING INCREASED EXPORTS AND LOWER CANADIAN HONEY OUTPUT. HONEY TRADE - EXPORTS... RECORD HONEY PRODUCTION IN 1998 RESULTED IN INCREASED EXPORTS OF CANADIAN HONEY. TOTAL CANADIAN HONEY EXPORTS IN 1998 ROSE MORE THAN 500% FROM THE YEAR EARLIER LEVEL TO REACH 11,208 METRIC TONS. EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY ACCOUNTED FOR MORE THAN 690% OF TOTAL CANADIAN HONEY EXPORTS IN 1998. FOR 1999, EXPORTS OF CARRY-OVER OLD CROP HONEY BOOSTED HONEY EXPORTS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR TO NEARLY THREE TIMES THE 1998 LEVEL FOR THE SAME PERIOD. POST FORECASTS TOTAL 1999 CANADIAN HONEY EXPORTS TO REACH ABOUT 15,000 METRIC TONS, OR 330% ABOVE THE 1998 LEVEL. HONEY EXPORTS IN 2000 ARE EXPECTED TO DECLINE TO ABOUT THE 8,000-9,000 METRIC TON RANGE GIVEN THE ANTICIPATED RETURN TO MORE NORMAL PRODUCTION PROSPECTS.
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