Highlights

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Honey

Canadian honey production in 2009 was 64.8 million pounds, comparable to the 2008 levels of 64.9 million pounds. The national average revealed a small decrease in yield from 116 pounds of honey per colony in 2008 to 115 pounds in 2009. Correspondingly, across the provinces, production and yields remained virtually unchanged from 2008 levels. Over 80% of honey production is generated from the Prairie Provinces, with Alberta continuing to be the leading honey producing province. Some factors affecting honey production are the weather, the amount of nectar available and presence of disease or mites.

There were 200 fewer beekeepers across Canada with 6,728 people engaged in commercial beekeeping activity in 2009. The number of managed hives was 576,000, 5,600 more than in 2008.

The total value of honey is available for previous season. Total value of honey in 2008 was $105.2 million, an increase of $20.3 million, or 23.9%, over the 2007 value of $84.9 million.

Maple

In 2009, Canadian operators produced 9.1 million gallons of maple syrup, a record high for the industry and an 85.7% increase (4.2 million gallons) over 2008, 4.9 million gallons. Favourable weather conditions contributed to that increase which surpassed the previous record of 7.3 million gallons in 2000.

The total value of the 2009 maple syrup crop was $353.8 million, up $141.9 million, an increase of two-thirds over the value reported in 2008.

Quebec, which produces over 90% of Canadian maple syrup, accounted for 8.3 million gallons of syrup in 2009, 3.8 million gallons more than 2008. Prices for maple syrup were $36.92 per gallon in Quebec for 2009, $5.14 lower than the $42.06 per gallon in 2008.