(NewsNation) — As honeybee populations decline at unprecedented rates, honey prices are expected to rise.
Honeybees play a critical role in agriculture. Beekeepers describe the decline as catastrophic, and some experts warn the crisis could affect both honey and produce prices well beyond the summer.
California hive theft up 87% since 2013
Colonies could decline by 60 to 70% this year due to a dangerous combination of mites, pesticides, habitat loss and hive theft.
In California, hive theft is up 87% since 2013, with 10,000 hives stolen — worth more than $3.5 million.
Thefts are most common during almond season, when farmers pay between $185 and $300 per hive.
Honeybees pollinate 35% of world’s crops
Prices for popular summer produce — such as almonds, apples, strawberries and avocados — are expected to increase.
Honeybees pollinate roughly 35% of the world’s food crops, so fewer bees mean lower yields and higher prices for fresh produce, jams, jellies and baked goods.
Honeybees contribute about $17 billion annually to U.S. agriculture production, including more than $4 billion from almonds alone, according to Project Apis.