NATIONAL HONEY MARKET NEWS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE DIVISION
21 N. 1st AVENUE, SUITE 224
YAKIMA, WA 98902-2663
PHONE: (509) 575-2494




HONEY MARKET FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1999 IN VOLUMES OF 10,000 POUNDS OR GREATER.

PRICES PAID TO BEEKEEPERS FOR EXTRACTED, UNPROCESSED HONEY IN MAJOR PRODUCING STATES BY PACKERS, HANDLERS & OTHER LARGE USERS, CENTS PER POUND, F.O.B. OR DELIVERED NEARBY, CONTAlNERS EXCHANGED OR RETURNED, PROMPT DELIVERY & PAYMENT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

ARKANSAS
-
SOYBEAN, LIGHT AMBER, 48¢

CALIFORNIA
- ALFALFA/COTTON, EXTRA LIGHT AMBER, 58¢ - - - LIGHT AMBER, 55¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, WHITE, 54¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, EXTRA LIGHT AMBER, 45 - 49¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, LIGHT AMBER, 44 - 48¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, AMBER, 39¢ - - - CAPPINGS, 33¢
- ORANGE, WHITE, 55¢
- SAGE, WHITE, 57¢

FLORIDA
- GALLBERRY/SAW PALMETTO, LIGHT AMBER, 44¢ - - - AMBER, 42¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, LIGHT AMBER, 42¢
- ORANGE, EXTRA LIGHT AMBER, 47¢
- SAW PALMETTO, EXTRA LIGHT AMBER, 53¢

IDAHO
- ALFALFA. WHITE, 52¢
- CLOVER, WHITE, 55¢ - - - LIGHT AMBER, 45¢
- WILDFLOWERS, LIGHT AMBER, 42.5¢
- SECTION COMB (8 OZ. ROUND), $2.20 EACH

INDIANA
- CLOVER, LIGHT AMBER, 68¢ (SMALL LOT)
- WILDFLOWERS, MEDIUM AMBER, 70¢ (SMALL LOT)

LOUISIANA
- MIXED FLOWERS, LIGHT AMBER, 42¢

MICHIGAN
- CLOVER, EXTRA LIGHT AMBER, 48¢
- CUT COMB, WILDFLOWERS, MEDIUM AMBER, 92.5¢

MONTANA
- CLOVER, WHITE, 56 - 60¢

NEBRASKA
- CLOVER, WATER WHITE, 57¢ - - - EXTRA LIGHT AMBER, 52¢

NORTH DAKOTA
- ALFALFA/CLOVER, WHITE, 51¢
- CLOVER, WATER WHITE, 57¢ - - - WHITE, 55 - 60¢
- CLOVER, EXTRA LIGHT AMBER, 52¢
OHIO
- FLORAL SOURCE & COLOR NOT AVAILABLE, 60¢

PENNSYLVANIA
- MIXED FLOWERS, LIGHT AMBER, 45¢

SOUTH DAKOTA
- CLOVER, WATER WHITE, 57¢ - - - CLOVER, WHITE, 55 - 6I¢

TEXAS
- CHINESE TALLOW, LIGHT AMBER, 48¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, LIGHT AMBER, 42¢

WASHINGTON
- ALFALFA, WHITE, 55¢
- DESERT FLOWER, AMBER, 40¢
- MINT, LIGHT AMBER, 43 - 45¢ - - - AMBER, 40¢
- SNOWBERRY, WHITE, 55¢ (SMALL LOT)
- STAR THISTLE, WHITE, 55¢




PRICES PAID TO CANADIAN BEEKEEPERS FOR UNPROCESSED BULK HONEY BY PACKERS AND IMPORTERS IN U.S. CURRENCY, F.O.B. SHIPPING POINT, CONTAINERS INCLUDED UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. DUTY AND CROSSING CHARGES EXTRA. CENTS PER POUND.

MANITOBA
- CLOVER/RAPESEED, WHITE, 5I¢



PRICES PAID TO IMPORTERS FOR BULK HONEY, DUTY PAID, CONTAINERS INCLUDED, CENTS PER POUND EX-DOCK OR POINT OF ENTRY UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

EAST COAST. . . ARGENTINA
- CLOVER, WHITE, 5 I - 54¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, EXTRA WHITE, 53¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, WHITE, 50¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, EXTRA LIGHT AMBER, 47 - 50¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, LIGHT AMBER, 48¢

CHINA
- MIXED FLOWERS, WHITE, 48¢
- MIXED FLOWERS, LIGHT AMBER, 4I¢

WEST COAST....CHINA
- MIXED FLOWERS, WHITE, 43 - 53¢

CALIFORNIA BEESWAX MARKET SITUATION --- SEPTEMBER, 1999
(unbleached, raw beeswax, delivered to handlers's warehouse)

Handlers continue to take in only limited amounts of wax. Most of their small orders are coming from regular, year-around customers and beekeepers still don't like the low prices being paid. Some noted a lot of candle wax is being imported and contains very little bees wax.

There was a wide range in prices being paid for light colored wax at $1.00 - 1.40 per pound with most trading at $1.30 - I .40 with an occasional higher price reported. Small amounts of dark colored wax were purchased at $1.00 - 1.20 per pound, mostly $1.00.


COLONY, HONEY PLANT & MARKET CONDITIONS DURING SEPTEMBER

ALABAMA
Weather conditions were seasonably mild with some rain and frequent thunderstorms as temperatures ranged from 85 - 94 degrees. Beekeepers reported bees are in good condition. Most beekeepers are preparing their bees for the fall. The flow of honey is moderate for this time of year.
Prices for honey are generally unchanged.

APPALACHIAN DISTRICT - (MD, PA, VA, WV)
Beekeepers in the area have completed most of their preventive treatments and populations are very healthy going into the winter season. Due to the drought many populations had used some of their stores and so beekeepers are supplemental feeding more than normal. A few states are conducting their association meetings in the next months. Recent rains, although heavy at times (Hurricane Floyd), brought much need moisture to the area; however, several areas are still below normal water table levels.

CALIFORNIA
Weather conditions the first week of September were fairly normal but the middle two weeks, several low pressure systems moved across the central coast bringing significant thunderstorm activity. The storms brought little rain but knocked down trees and set off grass fires. Temperatures dropped 5-10 degrees in most locations around the Sierra Mountains because of the cloud cover. By the end of September, the remains of Hurricane Hilary brought light rains followed by unseasonably warm conditions across the entire state. Temperatures topped 100 degrees in the southeast interior and some areas of the Sacramento Valley.

In Central and Northern California, most of the bees are in very good condition with the exception of those that came out of vineseeds a little light. Colonies were being prepared for the winter as some beekeepers added pollen supplement and syrup while others were leaving part of this years honey crop on as food. Some producers are trying the new Varroa Mite treatment and may experiment with alternating the two available treatments from one year to another.

The bees are reported to be in excellent shape in Southern California. I lives are currently setting in desert areas in the Imperial Valley and along rivers where they continue to bring in pollen from greasewood and tamarack. They are brooding up and divides have been made. Most beekeepers have not added any supplemental feed as adequate amounts of honey were left on as the honey crop was extracted.

The honey crop is down slightly this year with the best crops coming from cotton and alfalfa. Packers are receiving numerous calls from producers trying to find a place to sell their honey but honey sales are not great this time of year so many companies already have more then enough in storage.

COLORADO
The month of September was seasonal with temperatures about normal. Daytime highs were in the 75-85 degree range for most of the month, and the low to mid 40s for night lows. Moisture was about normal for the month, but the state still remains above normal. The National Weather Service reported 3.37 inches of rain in August, I .72 inches above normal; and 3.84 inches in July, which was I .85 inches above normal. Northeast Colorado received 2-8 inches of snow during the last few days of the month.

Most beekeepers have completed medicating their colonies and are currently preparing those kept in state for the winter months. Some supplemental feeding has been required because of the recent rain and snow. Migratory beekeepers have recently completed shipping their colonies to their winter yards in Texas and California. Most colonies are reported to be in fairly good shape at this time.

FLORIDA
Almost daily showers occurred over many areas of the Peninsula. Rainfall totals ranged from about an inch to almost 4". Daytime highs were mostly in the 80's while nighttime lows were mostly in the 60's and 70's.

Most of the migratory bees are back in the state. The water table is still low but the moisture levels are adequate. The Brazilian Pepper flow is starting well which is currently the bees primary food source.
Around 4,000 bees were lost in floods from Hurricane Floyd at Indian River and St. Lucie County.
Demand for Florida honey is normal. Prices are lower.

GEORGIA
Colonies around the state were considered to be generally in good condition. There was a dirth of any significant nectar sources in south and middle Georgia. Some beekeepers were involved in supplemental feeding to compensate colonies with light stores. This follows a honey crop in which average to below average yields were noted on earlier floral sources during the spring and early summer. In the northern half of the state, fall floral sources such as aster and goldenrod were about to begin in late September. The sourwood flow noted in the mountains during July produced only average yields. The fall floral sources could potentially increase colony strength and levels of stores.

IDAHO
September was drier and cooler than normal. On the 8th of September, a cold front broke records across the state. Strong winds on the 25th in excess of 30 mph were recorded across most of the state with gusts of 70 mph. Another cold front on the 28th broke records with even colder temperatures.

Most of the migratory beekeepers are finishing up the last of the honey flow and pulled off a real super crop. But others reported having a spotty crop, some with no honey flow at all. The weather is taking most of the blame with a long, cool, wet spring and at higher elevations it stayed far cooler longer. Few have reported seeing more dead-outs than you might want and a slight problem with Varroa Mites.

Those that have yet to winterize their hives hope that the weather will warm up for a few days allowing them time to medicate and prepare the hives for winter.

ILLINOIS
The first five days of the month, most of the state recorded high temperatures in the low 90's north section and high 90's in southern sections. Rainfall was generally light. Carbondale in southern Illinois reported only a quarter inch while Freeport in the northwest section, reported half inch of rainfall. The remaining sections reported no measurable rainfall for the period. Mid-month, most areas reported spofty rainfall and temperatures in the seventies and eighties.

Floral sources honeybees were working included aster, goldenrod, mums, Queen Ann's Lace, and fall lavender. Months end most beekeepers had inspected hives and were fall treating. Beekeepers reported colonies were in good condition heading into fall.

Beekeepers reported honey sales at fall festivals were good while bulk movement was slow.

INDIANA
Beekeepers reported most bees had been treated & were moving colonies into yards for overwintering. Most bees are in good condition as the fall flow of goldenrod, aster & wild flowers was heavier than expected.

Temperatures were in mid to upper 90's the first of the month with Dubois in the southwestern section reporting a high of 99 degrees. Rainfall was spotty over the state with most areas receiving no measurable
rainfall. Fort Wayne in the Northeast reported .01 inch. Many beekeepers reported the last of the month temperatures had moderated into the sixties for highs and high forties and low fifties overnight. Rainfall was reported in most areas while heaviest amounts were reported in northern Indiana. The first frost report was from the low areas of Brown county in central section of the state the 22nd of the month.

Honey sales were reported good due to fall festivals. Bulk honey movement was reported with limited packer interest. Retail wax demand was reported stronger than normal with a few beekeepers reporting they had sold most of their inventory.

KENTUCKY
Weather conditions were seasonably warm & humid with some rain & thunderstorms. Most beekeepers reported that their bees are generally in good condition. Beekeepers are preparing their hives for the fall.

Honey prices are generally unchanged.

MISSISSIPPI
Colonies around the state were considered to be generally in good condition. In the southern portions of the state, most of September noted a dirth of any significant nectar sources. Colonies were primarily feeding off reserves built up earlier in the year. Towards the end of September, goldenrod was beginning to be worked by colonies. In the central & northern portions of the state, colonies were awaiting the fall flows to begin. During the summer months there were fairly good flows from sourwood, soybean & wildflowers.

MISSOURI & IOWA
August was September was generally drier and cooler than normal. This made harvesting conditions generally very good. Bee populations are still fairly high. The nectar flow from aster was very good in Iowa which allowed the bees to fill the main chamber and even store an extractable surplus in the supers. Pollen collection was heavy from goldenrod. Honey storage varied widely over the two states from very good to poor. Some beekeepers will have heavy feeding to get the bees ready for winter.

MONTANA
The state experienced unseasonably warm daytime temperatures in the 80's and 90's the first half of the month. Parts of the north-central region even topped I 00 degrees the first few days of September. The middle of the month, temperatures dropped into the 70's & 80's across the state. Nights began to cool off with most areas in the 20's & 30's but parts of the southwest dipped into the teens. Much needed, but varying of amounts of rainfall was received in many locations. The highest weekly total was in Great Falls where over I.50" of rain fell. The state also recorded its first snow of the season towards the end of the month.

Producers kept busy pulling supers and extracting honey. In most areas, the crop is only fair or about one-half of last year. Honey is being left on those colonies that will be wintered in the state or taken to California. Strips were being put on to combat Varroa Mites and menthol was being added for Tracheal Mites. Beekeepers that re-stock every spring were selling off this years bees.

NEVADA
Fall weather in September has been mild with a light frost early in the month. The last few days it has been noticeably cooler, but no killing frost. Beehives were reported tp be in good shape. Production in the irrigated areas of alfalfa and clover was slightly better than last year. In a normal year, most beekeepers in this area can expect about 60 pounds of honey per hive. In some areas, nectar is still flowing with bees feeding on white, sweet cover, rabbit sagebrush and alfalfa.

NEW ENGLAND
With more rainfall this month than any time this summer bees in New England are trying to make a recovery & prepare for the winter. Bees are laying up winter brood & most beekeepers are evaluating their hives to see whether they can take or feed honey. Most beekeepers reported the nectar flows are over for the season with the exception of some fall asters & the remaining goldenrod. Mortality rates were not as bad as anticipated four to six weeks ago. Beekeepers in the northern part of New England are seeing better than expected honey production, while southern beekeepers are seeing only about 25- 40% of their expected yield.

NORTH CAROLINA
September was one of the worst months on record for the people in the eastern portion of North Carolina. A true picture of the damage (including damage to beekeepers) caused by Hurricane Floyd is still a long way off. Just as the flood waters in the eastern portion of the state started to recede, they were hammered again by up to 8" of additional rain during the last week of the month. In the western portion of the state, the exact opposite is true. Except for the 1/2 - 1" of rain during the past couple of days, almost no measurable rainfall as recorded in much of Western North Carolina during the last two months. Beekeepers have been busy "doctoring" their hives for mites & are hopeful about the retail sales of honey during the upcoming fall leaf color season.

OREGON
Conditions were Tall-like the first part of September with temperatures 2-9 degrees below normal in Western Oregon; 7-10 degrees below in Central Oregon and 4-11degrees below in the east. Light precipitation was recorded in most locations. The south-central section also saw the first frost of the season when Burns had a low of 22 degrees. Temperatures started to rise the middle of the month and were now as much as 10 degrees above normal across the state with daytime highs in the upper 80's to low 90's in all areas except along the coast. Very little rain was recorded. Topsoil moisture is reported to be as much as 95% very short across the entire state.

The bees are reported to be in excellent condition going into the fall season. The honey flow was so good this year that some producers extracted twice. Despite the good honey crop, most commercial beekeepers still make most of their income from pollination because of low honey prices. Extraction was pretty much complete by the end of the month and beekeepers were busy spot feeding, adding protein supplements and pollen substitutes. The queens stopped laying when the nectar flow stopped & they are hoping the protein and pollen will start them making brood again. Most plants have dried up for the season but some pollen is still being brou g ht in from dandelions and late bloom weeds. A mild winter, late spring and a warm, dry summer has created an over abundance of yellow jackets which has been causing problems for the beekeepers.

TENNESSEE
Weather conditions for the state were reported to be seasonably warm and humid. Most beekeepers reported that their bees are in good condition, but always trying to prevent any problems that could be detrimental to their bees. Beekeepers are busy preparing their hives for the fall.

Honey prices are generally unchanged.

UTAH
September was warm & dry with below normal precipitation. Honey production was spotty at best this year with extraction Still going on in some areas. Some feel it was due to windy conditions drying out what little rain there was. A few beekeepers reported little or no honey flow & excellent colony strength with no disease problems. Irrigated fields continued to return the most consistent honey flow. Bees were feeding on dandelions & few remaining fall flowers. A few areas reported that nectar is still flowing & this will add to the winter stores.

Migratory beekeepers were thankful for the pollination contracts, as the honey sales alone would not have been sufficient this year. Local retail sales are starting to pick up again.

WASHINGTON
Temperatures cooled off the first half of September with daytime highs as much as 6 degrees below normal in Western Washington and 10-1 1 degrees below in the east. A hail storm hit north King County the first of the month which did substantial damage to several crops. The last half of September was agian warm and dry. Temperatures west of the Cascades were as much as 8 degrees above normal while the eastern half recorded daytime highs in the upper 80's to low 90's or 12-13 above normal. Depite the warm weather, many crops are still two weeks behind schedule. High winds moved across Central Washington on the 25th and when they died down, the first frost of the season was recorded as temperatures dipped into the 20's. The end of September, topsoil moisture was still 49% short across the state.

The condition of the bees and the size of the honey crop varies greatly in Western Washington. There was very little flow in the fireweed this year because of the cool temperatures early in the season. An infestation of leaf beetles also destroyed much of the fireweed. Only late blooming ornamental flowers continued to provide some pollen and nectar.

The bees are reported to be in very good condition because many are set near irrigated crops or along rivers & irrigation cannels. Beekeepers were busy getting their bees ready for winter by medicating and checking colony size. No feeding has been necessary because bees are still bringing in pollen from fall flowers.

WISCONSIN
Beekeepers reported most of the month was favorable for fall activities. Many migratory colonies were inspected and had left the state. Most beekeepers moved colonies into overwintering yards or protected areas. Fall treatment for Tracheal and Varroa mites were underway due to the mild weather. Many areas reported dry conditions that limited the fall flow from goldenrod and aster.

Interest in beekeeping continued to grow over the summer. The number of colonies has grown by thirteen percent in 1998 to 89,000. Beekeepers expected that numbers released later this year will show the state honeybee population will increase in the ten percent or more range.

Fall festival honey sales were reported up slightly from last year. Bulk honey sales were reported fairly good.


U. S. IMPORTS OF HONEY BY COUNTRY, QUANTITY AND VALUE, JULY, 1999 & YEAR TO DATE TOTALS FOR 1999
               
   

July 1999

Year to date 1999

    Quantity
kilograms
Customs
Value
dollars
C.I.F.
Value
dollars
Quantity
kilograms
Customs
Value
dollars
C.I.F.
Value
dollars
               
NATURAL HONEY, NOT PACKAGED FOR RETAIL SALE --- WHITE
Canada 807273 951550 973868 7491942 9088490 9239622
Mexico 19209 24026 24940 237524 279252 291373
Uruguay --- --- --- 36600 35502 36302
Argentina 2618111 2513480 2679308 17844970 18089987 18796724
United Kingdom --- --- --- 2016 22104 23119
China, Mainland 19140 22513 26232 563470 634027 695202
Australia --- --- --- 197556 228964 247321
New Zealand --- --- --- 1801 8553 8800

TOTAL:

3,463,733 3,511,569 3,704,348 26,375,879 28,386,879 29,338,463

               
NATURAL HONEY, NOT PACKAGED FOR RETAIL SALE --- EXTRA LIGHT AMBER
Canada --- --- --- 68245 73798 74365
Mexico 18900 17325 18039 97072 107822 112595
Uruguay --- --- --- 55449 50577 52677
Argentina 616565 574797 607536 3269927 3371359 3486367
Vietnam --- --- --- 37700 28652 31762

TOTAL:

635,465 592,122 625,575 3,528,393 3,632,208 3,757,766

               
NATURAL HONEY, NOT PACKAGED FOR RETAIL SALE --- LIGHT AMBER
Canada 21011 25167 25895 217307 266544 269404
Mexico 76016 71559 76542 1651627 1548961 1642608
El Salvador --- --- --- 421 2082 2238
Nicaragua --- --- --- 16335 28934 31359
Argentina 589479 527895 561157 2509042 2310503 2426570
United Kingdom

---

---

---

3689

25728

26458

France

---

---

---

10105

70381

75780

Germany

12112

28437

29553

52765

127693

139966

Hungary

---

---

---

1372

2790

3153

Switzerland

768

4923

5076

8522

59333

61011

Italy

---

---

---

522

2941

3109

India

---

---

---

37200

35300

35372

Vietnam

---

---

---

541900

453564

511288

China

3181379

2641561

3000889

11780845

10624197

11721034

Taiwan

1050

3150

3380

1050

31150

3380

Australia

---

---

---

48360

76051

78901

New Zealand

---

---

---

450

3024

3025

TOTAL:

3,881,815 3,302,692 3,702,492 16,891,313 15,658,570 17,053,419

               
NATURAL HONEY, NOT PACKAGED FOR RETAIL SALE --- NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED OR INDICATED
Canada --- --- --- 225964 272850 275138
Mexico 87540 107314 114009 586690 678770 707343
Dom. Republic --- --- --- 33765 37211 39784
Uruguay --- --- --- 18483 17159 17559
Argentina 271122 248935 266524 1063040 997733 1059079
France

686

2820

3044

2558

13271

15770

Austria

---

---

---

14633

37588

39956

Switzerland

---

---

---

817

5729

5879

Lebanon

---

---

---

150

3000

3059

China

138040

115893

136184

342150

324479

362602

Taiwan

---

---

---

2800

11495

11917

Australia

---

---

---

22500

28108

29651

TOTAL:

497,388 474,962 519,761 2,313,550 2,427,393 2,567,737

SOURCE: U. S. Dept. Of Commerce, Bureau of the Census - Foreign Trade Division



U.S. EXPORTS OF HONEY BY COUNTRY OF DESTINATION, QUANTITY & VALUE
JULY, 1999 & YEAR TO DATE TOTALS FOR 1999

JULY 1999

 

YEAR TO DATE 1999

QUANTITY
Kilograms

VALUE
Dollars

 

QUANTITY
Kilograms

VALUE
Dollars


HONEY, NATURAL, PACKAGED FOR RETAIL SALE ---------------------------------------------------- DOMESTIC MERCHANDISE
COSTA RICA

---

---

 

839

3,369

BARBADOS

---

---

 

1,873

4,660

ARUBA

---

---

 

429

2,560

ECUADOR

---

---

 

2,42I

6,698

SWEDEN

---

---

 

I2,383

39,900

NETHERLANDS

---

---

 

17,724

46,440

RUSSIA

1,289

4,199

 

1,289

4,199

JORDAN

---

---

 

I8,076

35,239

KUWAIT

35,436

88,602

 

142,4II

349,527

SAUDI ARABIA

42,985

98,856

 

157,240

334,087

QATAR

---

---

 

7,336

9,622

ARAB EM.

17,951

42,800

 

106,298

187,817

YEMEN

20,048

33,800

 

I73,834

373,68I

PAKISTAN

---

---

 

20,336

32,078

SINGAPORE

---

---

 

2,476

7,597

INDONESIA

---

---

 

966

3,037

PHILIPPINES

42,290

105,435

 

70,096

I86,039

KOREA

---

---

 

43,798

83,993

HONG KONG

---

---

 

13,773

38,8248

TAIWAN

---

---

 

2,476

3,247

JAPAN

16,906

22,I76

 

48,609

69,467

TOTAL:

176,905

395,868

 

844,683

1,822,081

             

JULY 1999

 

YEAR TO DATE 1999

QUANTITY
Kilograms

VALUE
Dollars

 

QUANTITY
Kilograms

VALUE
Dollars


HONEY NATURAL, NOT ELSEWHERE INDICATED OR SPECIFIED ---------------------------- DOMESTIC MERCHANDISE
CANADA

28,056

41,880

 

183,137

366,194

MEXICO

17,979

29,572

 

20,370

42,704

TRINIDAD

---

---

 

14,960

27,428

N. ANTLLES

---

---

 

1,778

8,861

ARUBA

---

---

 

1,000

2,760

GUADALUPE

---

---

 

6,018

16,401

VENEZUELA

---

---

 

1,118

3,704

SWEDEN

---

---

 

18,554

31,122

FRANCE

---

---

 

306

3,556

GERMANY

---

---

 

323,305

466,952

HUNGARY

---

---

 

528

6,650

SWITZERLAND

---

---

 

20,101

38,059

SAUDI ARABIA

---

---

 

35,251

57,860

QATAR

---

---

 

19,051

43,050

BANGLADESH

4,536

10,500

 

4,536

10,500

SINGAPORE

19,051

43,050

 

19,051

43,050

INDONESIA

34,872

48,299

 

40,247

62,572

PHILIPPINES

---

---

 

19,537

21,514

CHINA

1,907

2,501

 

246,525

352,636

KOREA

---

---

 

113,461

148,829

HONG KONG

---

---

 

15,422

34,850

TAIWAN

---

---

 

17,280

31,523

JAPAN

19,595

36,230

 

75,943

152,435

AUSTRALIA

16,971

19,410

 

16,971

19,410

TOTAL:

123,916

188,392

 

1,213,157

1,980,568



MEXICO ... ANNUAL HONEY REPORT ... 1999

HONEY PRODUCTION & EXPORTS TO RISE

SITUATION AND OUTLOOK ---

ECONOMIC SITUATION & OUTLOOK:
The outlook for the Mexican economy has brightened in recent months. This optimism is based on a major rebound in world oil prices, the Government of Mexico's (GOM) conservative fiscal policy, & renewed stability in Russia, Asia & Brazil. Mexico's exports for the first quarter of 1999 were up 6.6%, compared to the same period last year, & the trade deficit for the quarter decreased by 31.3%. Higher oil prices & a more robust U.S. economy are the primary reasons for these improvements. Imports, on the other hand, have only increased 4.4% during the first quarter of the year, largely because of the economic slowdown that began during the last quarter of 1998. After posting a US$7.7 billion trade deficit last year, projections for 1999 call for a deficit ranging from US$6 to US$7 billion. The current account deficit is projected to be around US$14.4 billion, a figure that would constitute a manageable 3.4% of GDP. If the peso continues to appreciate, however, imports are likely to increase significantly over the next few months, & the trade & current account deficits could end up being larger than they are now projected. Normally, there is a lag of two to three months between the time import orders are placed & goods are shipped.

Higher oil prices have increased analysts' confidence in the government's fiscal target. The current average price of Mexican crude is significantly higher than the US$9.25 per barrel used to draft the budget. If the higher price remains, the GOM would obtain a windfall, making it easier to attain the deficit target of 1.25 percent of GDP, while still having room to increase social expenditures as the country approaches the 2000 elections. Current forecasts project an average oil price of around US$11.00 per barrel for the year.

The reasons for optimism notwithstanding, it's important to keep in mind that the Mexican market tends to overreact to good or bad news, so that Mexico is now experiencing the positive side of that instability. The fundamentals of the economy, however, have not changed dramatically over the last few months, only the expectations. Thus, there is no guarantee that the short-term optimism will continue in the medium term. A deterioration of the trade accounts due to the overvalued peso could be the event that reverses the current optimism. Likewise, longer-term expectations will be affected by the transparency (or lack of it) of the political process for the national elections in 2000.
Furthermore, although the worst of the crises in Asia and Brazil seem to be over, those economies are not completely out of the woods yet and unexpected events from them could still cause some turmoil. Along similar lines, if the speculative bubble of the U.S. stock market bursts, financial markets of all emerging markets would also tumble.
(Source: Economic Section, U.S. Embassy, Mexico)

HONEY SITUATION & OUTLOOK:
Mexico's 1999 honey production is forecast to increase to 57,500 metric tons, about 2.6 percent above the previous year's revised production estimate, due to several factors such as improved weather conditions in many areas, better control of African bees, and improved headway in combating outbreaks of Varroa Jacobsini.

The production estimate for 1998 is revised downward by 0.8 percent to 56,061 MT, reflecting more current industry and official data. The 1998 ertimate is still 4.36 percent more than the previous year's production, but 24 percent less than the record high of 69,495 MT registered in 1991. Mexico's principal honey-producing states are Yucatan, Jalisco and Veracruz with combined 1998 production accounting for 38 percent of the national total.

In 1998, 47% of Mexico's honey production was exported, thus generating income of over US$ 37 million for 26,322 MT. Of that, 48.8% went to Germany, 16.8% to the U.K. and 6.7% to the U.S. For the first quarter of 1999, exports reached 5,277 MT. Domestic consumption in 1998 was 30,000 MT, representing a per capita consumption of only 300 grams.

Mexico's 1998 imports were higher than normal at 31.5 MT, of which 78.5 percent came from the U.S. China, as the closest competitor, accounted for 9.6 percent of imports. For 1999, the U.S. exports to Mexico are expected to return to more traditional levels; during the first quarter the U.S. supplied just 398 kgs., 17.7% of imports.

The Mexican honey industry, though largely focused on foreign markets, has felt the negative economic conditions from which Mexico is currently emerging. Unfortunately, last year Mexican traders and intermediaries were accused of adulterating a portion of the Yucatan honey with added sugar. Although adulterated honey never got into the international market, the scandal caused international buyers to be wary of Mexican honey. This problem, however, did not get blown out of proportion and exports from Mexico continued rising.


(1000 COLONIES) (MT)

Revised 1997

Preliminary 1998

Forecast 1999

   

Old

New

Old

New

Old

New

Market Year Begin

01/1997

01/1998

01/1999


Commercial Colonies

2000

2000

2100

2100

0

2000

Non commercial Colonies

0

0

0

0

0

0

TOTAL COLONIES

2000

2000

2100

2100

0

2000

Beginning Stocks

0

0

0

0

0

0

Production

53681

53681

56500

56061

0

57500

Imports

0

0

0

0

0

0


TOTAL SUPPLY

53681

53681

56500

56061

0

57500

Exports

22681

22681

25000

26322

0

29000

Domestic Consumption

31000

31000

31500

29739

0

28500

EndingStocks

0

0

0

0

0

0


TOTAL DISTRIBUTION

53681

53681

56500

56061

0

57500




HONEY EXPORTS . . . (U.S. Dollars and Kgs.) . . . Calendar Year
 

1998
 

1999*
   

Value

Volume

 

Value

Volume

Germany

24,998,379

17,682,534

 

4,165,376

3,425,318

Saudi Arabia

973,240

552,439

 

70,914

39,581

Belgiurn

1,174,164

368,944 0

 

0

0

Canada

349,4862

31,745

 

49,625

32,224

U.S.A.

2,218,103

1,777,696

 

533,057

490,454

Japan

15

6

 

103

53

U.K.

5,530,791

4,415,628

 

924,366

826,985

Switzerland

341,932

283,575

 

257,251

167,810

Venezuela

457,622

301,080

 

47,520

43,200

Others

1,149,247

707,949

 

374,812

251,194

TOTAL:

37,192,979

26,321,596

 

6,423,024

5,276,819




HONEY IMPORTS . . . (U.S. Dollars and Kgs.) . . . Calendar Year
 

1998
 

1999*
   

Value

Volume

 

Value

Volume

Austria

5,209

723

 

568

84

China

45,630

3,015

 

4,625

500

U.S.A.

23,518

24,743

 

2,330

398

Switzerland

20,706

2,446

 

10,351

1,182

Others

4,847

600

 

284

87

TOTAL:

99,910

31,527

 

18,158

2,251


SOURCE: NATIONAL BANK OF FOREIGN TRADE (BANCOMEXT) *FIGURES AS OF 3/03/99


HONEY CONSUMPTION . . . 1991 to 1998 . . . (1,000 Metric Tons)
Year:

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998


Consumption

19

27

26

26

24

22

31

30

Production

69

64