Honey Prices

bee crazy · July 25, 2005, 08:15:27 PM

Hi all. I'm a new want to be beekeeper. I won't have bees until next spring as I am using this year studing and building woodenware.

One question I ask local beekeepers is where do you come up with the price of honey. Just what the local retailers are willing to pay or is there a market like corn or wheat? Most just say "what ever you can get" :?
There has to be a better way? How do members here price their honey.

Thanks

banjojohn · July 25, 2005, 08:44:19 PM

The local bee supply store people price their honey for $9 a quart, $10 with comb in it. Last year was the first I had sold. I gave my daughter a jar and she took it to work( in Knoxville) about 90 mile away. She called and said several people wanted some. I told her $8 a quart but she priced it at $10 a quart and sold all I had(about 30 quarts). It is probably a little higher in the bigger cities. We live in a small town. Both my hives died last winter and I had to start over this spring so I've only had about 2 shallows(20 qts) to sell so far. I got an extractor and kept the comb intact, so I am anxious to see how fast they can refill.

bassman1977 · July 25, 2005, 09:14:09 PM

I was checking online not too long ago for prices and found that there's a magazine that posts prices. I don't remember which one though. I am looking. I thought it was Bee Culture. I'll keep you posted.

bassman1977 · July 25, 2005, 09:15:21 PM

Found it quicker than I thought. Try this out. http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/mncs/honey.pdf

bee crazy · July 25, 2005, 09:52:59 PM

Oh Mr. Bassman, thanks that link is exactualy what I had hoped for. This gives a good insight to the market durring the crop months in the US.

Banjo....sorry you lost your new colonies. Do you know what killed them? I have been told to expect a 30% hive kill durring the winter. Which I find to be unexceptable but all around here seem to just live with it. I hope by keeping a comprehensive IPM program I hope to do better.

Horns Pure Honey · July 26, 2005, 05:28:30 PM

American Bee Journal has a chart on prices in every issue for all over the world. :D

bassman1977 · July 26, 2005, 07:26:19 PM

That's it! I knew there was something else. Thanks for helping Ryan.

bee crazy · July 26, 2005, 09:41:25 PM

Hey! you guys are too much...thanks again for all your help