Honey production drops dramatically from 2010

From the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service's latest report:

CALIFORNIA HONEY PRODUCTION DOWN 35 PERCENT
California’s 2011 honey production, at 17.8 million pounds, was 35
percent lower than 2010. Honey producing colonies totaled 370
thousand, down 10 percent from the previous year. The yield per
colony averaged 48 pounds, compared with 67 pounds per colony in
2010.

RECORD HIGH U.S. HONEY PRICES
Honey prices increased to a record high during 2011 to 172.9 cents
per pound, up 7 percent from 161.9 cents per pound in 2010. U.S. and
State level prices reflect the portions of honey sold through
cooperatives, private, and retail channels. Prices for each color class
are derived by weighting the quantities sold for each marketing
channel. Prices for the 2010 crop reflect honey sold in 2010 and 2011.
Some 2010 crop honey was sold in 2011, which caused some
revisions to the 2010 crop prices.

U.S. HONEY PRODUCTION DOWN 16 PERCENT
Honey production in 2011 from producers with five or more colonies
totaled 148 million pounds, down 16 percent from 2010. There were
2.49 million colonies producing honey in 2011, down 7 percent from
2010. Yield per colony averaged 59.6 pounds, down 9 percent from
the 65.6 pounds in 2010. Colonies which produced honey in more
than one State were counted in each State where the honey was
produced. Therefore, at the U.S. level, yield per colony may be
understated, but total production would not be impacted. Colonies
were not included if honey was not harvested. Producer honey stocks
were 36.8 million pounds on December 15, 2011, down 18 percent
from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held
under the commodity loan program.