The United States could see honeybee colonies decline by as much as 70% in 2025, according to entomologists at Washington State University (WSU).
In a statement released Tuesday, WSU researchers highlighted that honeybee losses have averaged between 40% and 50% annually over the past decade. However, this year’s losses are expected to be significantly worse due to a combination of poor nutrition, mite infestations, viral infections, and pesticide exposure from the last pollinating season.
“Losses have been increasing steadily,” said Priya Chakrabarti Basu, assistant professor of pollinator health and apiculture at WSU. “Pollination demands remain high, so beekeepers are under immense pressure to maintain colony numbers.”
Agriculture at Risk
The decline could have serious consequences. According to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, about 35% of the world’s food supply relies on pollinators.
Brandon Hopkins, a professor of pollinator ecology at WSU, warned that increased losses could raise costs for farmers who rely on bee colonies.
“I don’t want to spread fear, but this level of loss could push many beekeepers into bankruptcy,” Hopkins said. “Farmers who depend on bees for pollination—like apple growers—may struggle if their usual beekeepers go out of business.”
Almond Industry Hit Hard
Honeybee farming had an estimated production value of nearly $350 million in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Hopkins pointed out that the almond industry, which requires strong bee colonies, is especially vulnerable.
“Almond growers are facing a crisis,” he said. “They’re scrambling to secure any available colonies, even weaker ones, because the supply is critically low.”
He added that this level of demand hasn’t been seen since the early days of colony collapse disorder in 2008.
