bee prices going crazy

[GSF]

deknow; I had ask them specifically about the population. They presented a chart in one of the classes. It showed that in the 50s-60s? the number of hives were between 5 and 6 million (I think). Now it's around 2 million. My question was since it seemed that so many were getting into backyard bee keeping had the arrow on the chart headed back up, the answer was no, it's still going down. That's when they mentioned the commercial beekeeper numbers going down.

[10framer]

gary, back in the 50's and 60's (even ten 15 years ago) there was a lot more forage for bees.  what's not a subdivision now is planted pine in the south and the entire midwest is either one giant corn field or hay field from what i've seen.  the natural forests and farms with a variety of crops are just about gone.  the land simply can't support the number of bees it used to.  factor in the mites and the beetles along with the price of imported honey that started coming in around the 70's and it's gotten pretty tough to make a living as a beekeeper unless you want to be a migratory pollinator (and i think the stress of that on the bees is finally catching up to them).  another thing to think about is the fact that a lot of backyard beekeepers don't make it and some that do probably propagate pests and diseases that spread through robbing.  i think we'll see the prices go higher and higher for several more years.  

[rookie2531]

I'm not sure you can count how many bees and hives are out there. I know a lot of beekeepers that stay to themselves and don't participate in clubs. So really how do they know? In fact I think there are more keepers out of clubs than in. Now they might have better numbers on the commercial guys, but serious doubt backyarders.

[Jim134]

Like or not 95% of all the hives in the United States are owned only by 5% of the Beekeepers.


         BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

[GLOCK]

I have sold 7 since sunday when i put a ad on http://pennstate.craigslist.org/grd/4822299455.html

[GSF]

Glock, that's a good looking batch of brood.

[Hops Brewster]

I have read a lot of forum posts and news articles about the big die-off of 2014.  Also a lot of posts and articles about the huge increase of brand spanky new hobbyist beeks in the past few years. 
Seems to me there's a fair measure of supply and demand going on here.

[xphoney]

From 1945 to 2007 there has been a decline.  (For lots of reasons)  Since then the number of colonies have increased.  People quoting numbers until 2007 are likely trying to sell you something.

[Monie]

Some prices are way over the top. I can understand charging more, because of die off, or whatever the case may be, but 175-200+ for a nuc is just nuts! Even 125-150 was hard for me to swallow...until I saw package prices hovering around 100. I'll definitely be selling nucs, in the future

[AllenF]

Wilbanks has 3# packages going for $73 this year.   

[GDRankin]

$125 - $150 per nuc was the going rate around my area last summer. Now there seems to be a bit of an increase, at least at this time on the craigslist adds showing up early. Last month I saw $175 (taking orders for spring nucs)
Now I'm seeing:

Nucs for sale - $180 (San Antonio)

[10framer]

for 180 dollars each i'll start selling nucs.

[GSF]

AllenF; My Wilbanks flyer said 2# packages were $73 and 3# were $83. I didn't go looking, but this morning I saw their flyer laying on the table and took a look.

[sterling]

for 180 dollars each i'll start selling nucs.

You might have to haul em to San Antonio to get that.

[Kathyp]

I was planning on selling a couple of 8 frames of bees (10 frame with a 2 frame feeder) for $90.

yeah, that's package price (unless you are selling to me!).  Check that PM I sent you.  I was thinking about going just to see what's happening in the neighborhood.

[10framer]

for 180 dollars each i'll start selling nucs.

You might have to haul em to San Antonio to get that.

if i had a truckload it would be worth it. 

[minz]

Rhul bee supply prices are out and are at $115 for a nuc.  I figure they would be the competition (brick and motor cornerstone bee supply in the city). I figure by the time I get done screwing around $100 is a fair price. If I do not need to provide a nuc (if you are just taking all the bees in a deep) saves me $7 plus messing around time.  I am torn since I keep doubling my count every year at what point is enough, enough? But on the other hand I just took my last case of honey to work for $5 each on a 12 oz bear.

[beesNme]

the price for a nuc  or a package is the same  this year, 125.00

[derekm]

gary, back in the 50's and 60's (even ten 15 years ago) there was a lot more forage for bees.  what's not a subdivision now is planted pine in the south and the entire midwest is either one giant corn field or hay field from what i've seen.  the natural forests and farms with a variety of crops are just about gone.  the land simply can't support the number of bees it used to.  factor in the mites and the beetles along with the price of imported honey that started coming in around the 70's and it's gotten pretty tough to make a living as a beekeeper unless you want to be a migratory pollinator (and i think the stress of that on the bees is finally catching up to them).  another thing to think about is the fact that a lot of backyard beekeepers don't make it and some that do probably propagate pests and diseases that spread through robbing.  i think we'll see the prices go higher and higher for several more years. 

Its called ecological disaster. Whats bad for the bugs that go splat on your windscreen is bad for the bees and evenually bad for us.

[chux]

Around here, the price for a 5-frame nuc has been about $130. I hope to start selling a handful each year. In NC, you can sell up to 10 hives without a special permit. I think a better way to get bees is to set out swarm traps. Of course there isn't a guarantee that you will get bees, but it sure is fun. And free (minus what you pay for equipment). Just hang a nuc box up in a tree, bait it, and see what happens this spring.