Empire State remains top honey producer in the Northeast, it jumped to 10th in the nation.
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There was a 9 percent increase in honey production in 2015, maintaining New York’s status as the top honey producer the Northeast and putting the state in the nationwide top 10 for the first time in a decade.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture statistics, which cover beekeepers with five colonies or more, the 3.6 million pounds of honey produced in New York State in 2015 was a nine percent increase from the 3.3 million pounds produced in 2014.
New York ranked 10th in honey production in 2015, jumping three rankings above Idaho, Georgia, and Nebraska.
New York beekeepers earned almost $10.6 million from their honey in 2015, an $1.2 million increase from the year before.
According to the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York honey fetches higher prices because the state’s beekeepers produce not just Clover, but also niche varieties like Wild Flower, Basswood, and Locust.
The Department also credits favorable weather last summer and early fall for the higher production and prices.
Recognizing challenges facing the pollinator community, Governor Cuomo established an interagency taskforce, chaired by the Departments of Agriculture and Markets and Environmental Conservation, to develop a Pollinator Protection Plan to protect and promote the health and recovery of honeybee and other pollinator populations in New York State.
The Governor has further committed to supporting the industry and the efforts of the taskforce by including $500,000 in the State Budget through the Environmental Protection Fund for implementation of the Pollinator Protection Plan. ■
Modified arctic air combined with a moisture-laden area of low pressure along the Gulf Coast will continue to allow for a broad area of winter weather impacts from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Southeast today into early Saturday morning.