| | Purpose of survey | Methodology | Highlights of the Alberta 2008/2009 paired beekeeping surveys | Honey production in Alberta | Acknowledgments
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Purpose of Survey
To address some of the data gaps and information needs of the beekeeping industry in Alberta, each year the Statistics and Data Development (SADD) Branch conducts a survey of beekeepers in the province. The survey is used to assist in the development of provincial and regional estimates for selected honey variables such as colony numbers, yield, production and prices. The survey information along with information from other sources, are then used to estimate the provincial and regional honey statistics. Furthermore, these estimates, along with the survey results, are shared with survey participants, industry and other stakeholders.
This report focuses on the results of the Alberta 2009 Beekeepers’ Survey and the related estimates generated.
Methodology
The Alberta Beekeepers’ Survey, which is provincial in scope, collects data from producers through a non-probability survey. In January 2010, survey questionnaires were mailed out to 411 beekeepers across the province. The questionnaire specifically asked survey participants to provide, at their earliest convenience, information on colony numbers, production, yield, bee purchases, prices (expected/actual), carry-over stocks and selected management practices, for their related beekeeping operation in 2009.
Participants were made aware that participation was voluntary. They were also assured that all individual responses would be kept confidential under both the Statistics Act of Canada, and the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, by which the SADD Branch is governed and operates. In return for their participation, respondents who were interested in the survey results were mailed the Branch’s publication highlighting the results of the 2009 Beekeepers’ survey. As of June 18th, 2010, a total of 250 questionnaires were received of which 239 were usable and formed the basis for the Alberta 2009 honey production estimates.
Survey responses received were reviewed for data completeness, validated and entered into an electronic database. The data was then subjected to some computerized analyses, the results of which were rolled up into group summaries, to preserve the confidentiality of data provided by individual respondents. In turn, the group summaries, in conjunction with input from industry and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) subject area/provincial specialists, were used to develop provincial and regional estimates on the number of producers, colonies, yield and production. The provincial data are collected by the Alberta Provincial Apiculturist based on the annual registration of Alberta beekeepers. This annual registration is required by Alberta Bee Act.
It should be noted that the derived estimates are subject to error. Some of the possible causes of error include data coding, data entry, editing and tabulation. Nonetheless, we believe that the statistics published in this report are reliable estimates for Alberta.
For further information regarding the survey or survey results, please do not hesitate to contact:
John Paul Emunu
Livestock Statistician
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Economics and Competitiveness Division
Statistics and Data Development Branch
Phone: 780-427-4243; Fax 780-427-5220
E-mail: john.paul.emunu@gov.ab.ca
Highlights of the Alberta 2008/2009 Paired Beekeeping Surveys
The following survey highlights are based on the responses of 119 producers in Alberta who participated in both the 2008 and 2009 Alberta Beekeepers’ Surveys. For more detailed information, please refer to Table 1.
Paired sample highlights:
In 2009, beekeepers purchased less queen packages/nucs than in 2008. Purchases decreased approximately 20 per cent, with the average beekeeper buying 124 packages/nucs, compared to 155 in 2008. The majority of packages/nucs purchased were imported (99 per cent), with the remainder purchased locally.
In 2009, the distribution of imported packages was as follows: New Zealand (84 per cent), and Australia (16 per cent). Compared to 2008, imports of packages from New Zealand decreased, while imports from Australia increased.
Beekeepers sourced 62 per cent of their nuc purchases from British Columbia, 38 per cent from other Canadian provinces and under one per cent from Alberta. In 2009, imports of nucs from British Columbia and Alberta were down compared to the previous year, while those from other Canadian provinces were up. The 2009 average nuc price in British Columbia was $110.68, while other prices included $125.71 for Alberta nucs and $140.53 for nucs from other Canadian provinces.
Individual queen purchases increased four per cent in 2009, with producers purchasing 199 queens on average, compared to 191 in 2008. Hawaii continues to be the primary source of imports, accounting for 89 per cent of the total, while other US States were second with five per cent and Chile third, with three per cent.
Average queen prices in 2009 ranged from $19.77 to $30.00, depending upon the source of purchase. Prices were lowest for Australian queens at $19.77 per queen, followed by Chile at $20.07, then Hawaii at $20.24 per queen. Prices were the highest for the “other” category at $30.00 per queen.
In 2009, the percentage deathloss for queens purchased in packages and nucs increased almost five fold, to 24 per cent, compared to four per cent in 2008. Average deathloss of individual queens increased to 25 per cent, from 18 per cent in 2008.
On June 30, 2009, there was less honey in inventory than a year earlier. Producers on average had 5,929 pounds in stock, down 30 per cent from 8,438 pounds in 2008.
Survey respondents indicated that Alberta was the preferred location for producers to over-winter their bees with 98 per cent of the over-wintering activity done in the province in 2009. Approximately two per cent of over-wintering was done in British Columbia.
“Outdoor” over-wintering is still the preferred practice, accounting for 70 per cent of total colonies over-wintered in 2009.
The average beekeeper had about 18 years of beekeeping experience. Years of experience in over-wintering “outdoor” and “indoor” colonies were lower, approximately 15 years and 13 years, respectively.
Producer prices received in 2008 for honey were higher than expected for retail and lower than expected for wholesale. The average price realized for wholesale honey was $150.31 per cwt, $1.28 lower than the expected price of $151.59 per cwt. The realized price for retail honey was $275.72 per cwt, $6.01 higher than the expected price of $269.71 per cwt. The 2009 expected prices for honey are $156.34 per cwt wholesale, and $259.84 per cwt retail.
Honey Production in Alberta
The estimated number of beekeepers in Alberta increased in 2009. There was approximately 10 per cent more beekeepers in the province at 683, compared to 620 in 2008 (see tables 3 and 4). Also, colony numbers were higher compared to 2008. There were 251,000 colonies in the province up 11 per cent from the 2008 total of 226,000 colonies. Preliminary statistics indicate that while Alberta has about nine per cent of the nation’s beekeepers, it accounted for 40 per cent of the honey producing colonies in Canada.
Alberta produced more honey in 2009 than was previously estimated. Final estimates show total production at 29.1 million pounds, compared to the preliminary fall estimate of 25.9 million pounds. The final estimate represents a 12 per cent increase in honey production compared to 2008. This increase in production is linked to the rise in the number of colonies and yield per colony. The yield per colony went up by one per cent to 116 pounds, compared to 2008.
Preliminary estimates by Statistics Canada peg total Canadian honey production in 2009 at 64.8 million pounds, compared to 64.9 million pounds a year earlier. Based on the initial estimates, Alberta accounts for 40 per cent of the nation’s honey production.
Regionally in Alberta, honey production was the highest in the North West region in 2009 (see tables 2 and 4). This region produced 9.0 million pounds of honey, or 31 per cent of the total provincial production of 29.1 million pounds. The Peace region was second with roughly 8.9 million pounds, (or 31 per cent), followed by the South with approximately 4.3 million pounds (or 15 per cent). The Central region had the lowest production with 2.8 million pounds (or 10 per cent), followed by the North East with 4.1 million pounds (or 14 per cent). It cannot be over emphasized that estimated honey production on a regional basis is directly tied to colony numbers and yield, hence, explaining the variation among regions. Beekeepers from various regions tend to move their bees from honey producing locations to Southern Alberta for Hybrid canola seed production. Thus, the honey yield of these colonies is reduced due to high density of colonies per acre when used for pollination.
Just to note, the Alberta Beekeepers’ Survey had included some questions regarding the pollination of crops. Based upon the survey results (which do not include all beekeepers involved in pollination activities), 31,322 colonies were rented for pollination in 2009, with an average rental charge of $137.86 per colony. For some producers, this was one strategy employed to diversify their incomes and provide needed efficient managed pollinators, i.e. honey bees for crop production.
Acknowledgments
The Statistics and Data Development Branch of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) gratefully acknowledge and thank the many producers who participated in the Alberta 2009 Beekeepers’ survey. Without their participation, this report would not have been possible.
As well, the Branch wishes to acknowledge several staff members of ARD, including Reynold Jaipaul, Gail Atkinson, Guangzhi Liu, Nabi Chaudhary, John Paul Emunu, Roy Larsen, Melodie Mynzak, and Medhat Nasr for their contributions to this report.
This report is also available on the Internet at:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sdd12589
To obtain additional copies, please contact:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Economics and Competitiveness Division
Statistics and Data Development Branch
#302, 7000-113 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T6H 5T6
For a complete copy of the report with the tables, please download the attached pdf file. |
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