Cost of Pollination ISSN: 2475-4315 Released December 15, 2023, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Cost per Colony to Pollinate Almonds down 3 Percent from 2022 In Regions 6 & 7, the average cost per colony for almonds decreased 3 percent from 194 dollars per colony in 2022 to 188 dollars per colony in 2023. The average price per acre decreased from 336 dollars per acre to 310 dollars per acre during that period. The total value of pollination for almonds decreased 8 percent. Almonds were the highest valued crop in that region. The total value of all pollination in Regions 6 & 7 for 2023 was 356 million dollars, down 8 percent from 2022. Cranberries had the highest total value of pollination of crops reported in Region 1 in 2023. The price per colony for cranberries increased 1 percent to 82.8 dollars per colony in 2023. The price per acre increased 8 percent to 200 dollars per acre. The total value of pollination for cranberries in Region 1 for 2023 was 6.46 million dollars. The total value for pollination of all crops in Region 1 for 2023 was 19.8 million dollars, down 10 percent from 2022. Blueberries had the highest total value of pollination of crops reported in Region 2 in 2023. The price per colony for blueberries decreased 15 percent to 66.4 dollars per colony in 2023. The price per acre unchanged at 139 dollars per acre. The total value of pollination for blueberries in Region 2 for 2023 was 3.25 million dollars. The total value of pollination of all crops in Region 2 for 2023 was 6.75 million dollars, up 2 percent from 2022. Watermelons had the highest total value of pollination of crops reported in Region 3 in 2023. The price per colony for watermelons decreased 26 percent to 57.0 dollars per colony in 2023. The price per acre decreased 19 percent to 81.5 dollars per acre. The total value of pollination for watermelons in Region 3 for 2023 was 2.00 million dollars. The total value of pollination of all crops in Region 3 for 2023 was 5.59 million dollars, down 24 percent from 2022. Apples had the highest total value of pollination of crops reported in Region 4 in 2023. The price per colony for apples increased 44 percent to 74.2 dollars per colony in 2023. The price per acre increased 57 percent to 64.4 dollars per acre. The total value of pollination for apples in Region 4 for 2023 was 141 thousand dollars. The total value of pollination of all crops in Region 4 for 2023 was 1.28 million dollars, up 104 percent from 2022. Apples had the highest total value of pollination of crops reported in Region 5 in 2023. The price per colony for apples increased 2 percent to 59.5 dollars per colony in 2023. The price per acre increased 8 percent to 68.0 dollars per acre. The total value of pollination for apples in Region 5 for 2023 was 9.76 million dollars. The total value of pollination of all crops in Region 5 for 2023 was 24.6 million dollars, up 41 percent from 2022. Contents Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 1: 2022............................................................................................................ 3 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 1: 2023............................................................................................................ 3 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 2: 2022............................................................................................................ 4 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 2: 2023............................................................................................................ 4 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 3: 2022............................................................................................................ 5 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 3: 2023............................................................................................................ 5 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 4: 2022............................................................................................................ 6 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 4: 2023............................................................................................................ 6 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 5: 2022............................................................................................................ 7 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 5: 2023............................................................................................................ 7 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 6 & 7: 2022........................................................................................................ 8 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 6 & 7: 2023........................................................................................................ 8 Statistical Methodology............................................................................................ 9 Regional Listing................................................................................................... 10 Terms and Definitions of Cost of Pollination Estimates............................................................. 10 Information Contacts............................................................................................... 11 Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 1: 2022 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 1 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree fruit : Apple ...............: 68,400 43.8 39,000 91.2 3,557 Cherry ..............: 28,000 34.5 16,500 78.9 1,302 : Melons : Watermelon ..........: 3,100 59.6 3,000 80.8 242 : Berries : Blueberry ...........: 45,900 179.0 87,000 98.4 8,561 Cranberry ...........: 27,700 185.0 65,000 81.6 5,304 : Vegetables : Cucumber ............: 9,300 20.7 10,500 69.7 732 Pumpkin .............: 7,100 40.6 7,500 78.6 590 Squash ..............: 5,400 31.2 4,600 63.2 291 : All other 1/ ....... : 8,500 47.2 17,000 77.4 1,316 : Total .............. : 203,400 91.0 250,100 87.5 21,895 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 1: 2023 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 1 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree fruit : Apple ...............: 76,400 38.5 44,000 81.0 3,564 Cherry ..............: 29,400 27.0 12,500 66.7 834 : Melons : Watermelon ..........: 1,950 74.6 2,400 69.9 168 : Berries : Blueberry ...........: 40,800 142.0 81,000 76.8 6,221 Cranberry ...........: 32,100 200.0 78,000 82.8 6,458 : Vegetables : Cucumber ............: 8,100 41.3 4,600 79.6 366 Pumpkin .............: 8,700 36.5 6,000 77.2 463 Squash ..............: 4,800 52.3 4,400 83.9 369 : All other 1/ ....... : 5,600 46.8 17,500 77.8 1,362 : Total .............. : 207,850 83.0 250,400 79.1 19,805 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 2: 2022 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 2 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree fruit : Apple ...............: 11,900 17.6 5,500 52.6 289 : Melons : Cantaloupe ..........: 1,850 84.9 3,300 52.3 173 Watermelon ..........: 16,900 77.5 19,500 70.6 1,377 : Berries : Blueberry ...........: 22,400 139.0 46,000 78.3 3,602 : Vegetables : Pumpkin .............: 1,850 38.5 1,300 88.9 116 Squash ..............: 3,150 89.7 5,500 53.3 293 : All other 1/ ....... : 8,800 52.3 13,000 57.8 751 : Total .............. : 66,850 84.0 94,100 70.2 6,601 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 2: 2023 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 2 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree fruit : Apple ...............: 11,800 26.3 5,000 69.3 347 : Melons : Cantaloupe ..........: 2,600 74.4 3,800 57.5 219 Watermelon ..........: 18,000 88.8 25,000 66.1 1,653 : Berries : Blueberry ...........: 21,100 139.0 49,000 66.4 3,254 : Vegetables : Pumpkin .............: 1,160 36.9 1,000 74.6 75 Squash ..............: 2,750 73.1 4,100 60.3 247 : All other 1/ ....... : 13,400 54.4 14,500 65.9 956 : Total .............. : 70,810 84.8 102,400 65.9 6,751 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 3: 2022 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 3 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Melons : Watermelon ..........: 18,200 100.0 24,000 76.9 1,846 : Berries : Blueberry ...........: 4,200 134.0 16,500 54.8 904 : All other 1/ ....... : 32,700 46.9 89,000 52.1 4,637 : Total .............. : 55,100 71.2 129,500 57.0 7,387 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 3: 2023 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 3 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Melons : Watermelon ..........: 22,100 81.5 35,000 57.0 1,995 : Berries : Blueberry ...........: 2,350 230.0 18,000 59.3 1,067 : All other 1/ ....... : 26,700 58.7 37,000 68.3 2,527 : Total .............. : 51,150 76.5 90,000 62.1 5,589 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 4: 2022 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 4 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree fruit : Apple ...............: 1,750 41.0 2,200 51.7 114 Cherry ..............: 1,210 36.1 2,300 32.1 74 : All other 1/ ....... : 1,650 52.6 8,000 55.0 440 : Total .............. : 4,610 44.2 12,500 50.2 628 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 4: 2023 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 4 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree fruit : Apple ...............: 1,150 64.4 1,900 74.2 141 Cherry ..............: 1,040 41.6 2,600 43.3 113 : All other 1/ ....... : 1,160 62.4 19,000 53.9 1,024 : Total .............. : 3,350 56.7 23,500 54.4 1,278 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 5: 2022 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 5 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree fruit : Apple ...............: 104,000 62.8 113,000 58.3 6,588 Cherry ..............: 40,700 115.0 79,000 60.2 4,756 Peach ...............: 1,060 37.3 1,100 47.7 52 Pear ................: 20,000 61.3 23,000 55.8 1,283 : Berries : Blueberry ...........: 13,300 136.0 39,000 50.9 1,985 Cranberry ...........: 4,100 118.0 6,500 73.9 480 Raspberry ...........: 4,100 58.4 6,500 40.2 261 : All other 1/ ....... : 33,400 44.8 45,000 45.5 2,048 : Total .............. : 220,660 74.7 313,100 55.7 17,453 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 5: 2023 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 5 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree fruit : Apple ...............: 139,500 68.0 164,000 59.5 9,758 Cherry ..............: 36,100 104.0 62,000 61.2 3,794 Pear ................: 23,800 56.7 23,000 59.1 1,359 : Berries : Blueberry ...........: 23,500 150.0 64,000 56.5 3,616 Cranberry ...........: 6,000 121.0 9,000 81.9 737 Raspberry ...........: 2,600 72.6 4,700 40.7 191 : All other 1/ ....... : 53,900 84.5 73,000 71.3 5,205 : Total .............. : 285,400 82.6 399,700 61.7 24,660 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 6 & 7: 2022 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 6 & 7 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree nuts : Almond ..............: 1,032,700 336.0 1,880,000 194.0 364,720 : Tree fruit : Cherry ..............: 27,000 163.0 53,000 84.0 4,452 : All other 1/ ....... : 96,100 120.0 300,000 58.6 17,580 : Total .............. : 1,155,800 313.8 2,233,000 173.2 386,752 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Paid Pollinated Acres, Price per Acre, Colonies Used, Price per Colony, and Total Value of Pollination - Region 6 & 7: 2023 [See regional listing on page 10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Region 6 & 7 :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop : Paid : Price per : Colonies : Price per : Total value :pollinated acres: acre : used : colony 2/ : of pollination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : acres dollars colonies dollars 1,000 dollars : Tree nuts : Almond ..............: 1,075,400 310.0 1,780,000 188.0 334,640 : Tree fruit : Apples ..............: 3,350 84.9 6,500 56.2 365 Cherry ..............: 26,500 124.0 44,000 77.9 3,428 : Melons ............. : Cantaloupe .........: 36,100 62.4 28,000 81.6 2,285 Watermelon .........: 8,900 150.0 9,500 142.0 1,349 : Other Crops ........ : Alfalfa ............: 11,200 139.0 19,500 92.0 1,794 Sunflower ..........: 18,300 88.1 27,000 60.5 1,634 : All other 1/ ....... : 64,100 101.0 165,000 66.3 10,940 : Total .............. : 1,243,850 281.3 2,079,500 171.4 356,435 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes crops not categorized above. 2/ Regional total price per colony is total value of pollination divided by colonies used. Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: The Cost of Pollination survey, conducted annually in all 50 states, collects information on acreage pollinated, colonies used, and dollars spent for a variety of different crops. The target population for Cost of Pollination estimate program is all farms and ranches with at least one acre of a crop determined to be potentially pollinated by honey bees. There were 33 specific crops targeted in the Cost of Pollination sampling scheme, 19 of these crops were listed individually on the questionnaire. Additional crops were allowed to be reported under the "All Other Crops" category (see "Sampled Crops"). Any other reported commodity not included in these lists were grouped as miscellaneous and summarized together. The Cost of Pollination samples were selected using a Multivariate Probability Proportional to Size (MPPS) sampling scheme. Each record was assigned a measure of size based on the record's data for multiple specified commodities. The 2023 sample size was 15,548 and the 2022 sample size was 15,590. All sampled operations were mailed a questionnaire and given adequate time to respond by mail or electronic data reporting (EDR). Those that did not respond by mail or EDR were telephoned or enumerated in person. Sampled Crops: The 19 sampled crops listed on the questionnaire were: alfalfa, almonds, apples, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, clover, cranberries, cucumber, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pears, pumpkins, raspberries, squash, strawberries, sunflowers, and watermelons. The 14 remaining crops that were sampled, but not listed individually on the questionnaire were: apricots, avocados, boysenberries, buckwheat, canola, grapes, honeydew melons, kiwifruit, plums, prunes, macadamia nuts, mangos, tomatoes, and turnips. Estimation Procedures: Estimates were prepared by the Agricultural Statistics Board after reviewing recommendations and analysis submitted by each Regional Field Office. All data were analyzed for unusual values. Data from each operation were compared to their own past operating profile and to trends from similar operations. Data for missing operations were covered by weighting positive data of similar operations based on location and strata. National and State survey data were reviewed for reasonableness with each other, estimates from the previous year, and other USDA, NASS reports. In order to be published individually, a crop must have an appropriate threshold of paid pollinated acres in a region and meet USDA, NASS's confidentiality policy. If a crop did not meet either of these requirements, it was combined with all other unpublished crops under the "All Other" heading. Due to the differences in regions and years, the aggregate and other published estimates may include different crops. Revision Policy: The previous year's estimates are subject to revision when current year's estimates are made. Revisions are the result of late reports or corrected data. Reliability: Estimates were created by reviewing rounded indications from the survey and the associated measures of error. Due to the sampled population differing from other USDA, NASS surveys, estimates on this report may differ from other published numbers. Since all operations with crops were not included in the sample, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability. The measurement of error due to sampling in the current period is evaluated by the coefficient of variation for each estimated item. For individually published crops, coefficients of variation can be found using USDA, NASS's Quick Stats searchable database. Survey results were also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplication, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. While these errors cannot be measured directly, they were minimized through strict quality controls in the data collection process and a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. Estimation Regions To improve the reliability and increase the number of estimates which can be published, estimates are published at regional level, based on the regions used for the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Regions 6 and 7 were combined. The states in each region are as follows: Region 1: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin. Region 2: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia. Region 3: Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas. Region 4: Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming. Region 5: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington. Region 6 & 7: Arizona, California, Hawaii. Terms and Definitions of Cost of Pollination Estimates Paid Pollinated Acres: Acreage that an operation paid money to be pollinated by honey bees. Dollars per Acre: The average price paid by operations to pollinate an acre of crop. Acres pollinated for free or on a nonmonetary basis were not included in this calculation. Colonies Used: The total colonies used to pollinate a crop; regardless of ownership or if on a paid basis. Dollars per Colony: The average price paid by operations to use a colony for pollination. Colonies owned by the operation or used on a nonmonetary basis were not included. Total Value of Pollination: The total valuation of all pollination, calculated by multiplying the price per colony by colonies used. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@usda.gov Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch ............................... (202) 692-0069 Jean Porter, Head, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section .......... (202) 690-3223 Holly Brenize - Poultry Slaughter................................... (202) 720-0585 Liana Cuffman - Catfish and Trout, Mink, Census of Aquaculture ..... (202) 720-8784 Fatema Haque - Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised ..................... (202) 720-3244 Derron Martin - Chicken Hatchery, Egg Products...................... (202) 690-3237 Seth Riggins - Honey, Honey Bee Colonies ........................... (202) 690-4870 Shulonda Shaw - Cold Storage, Capacity of Refrigerated Warehouses .. (202) 720-3240 Autumn Stone - Layers, Eggs ........................................ (202) 690-3676 Takiyah Walker - Broiler Hatchery................................... 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