USA. Cosecha de miel y mercados . Julio 012

miércoles 25 de julio de 2012

http://www.americanbeejournal.com/site/epage/86437_828.htm

USA. Cosecha de miel y mercados . Julio 012

A pesar de los problemas climáticos con sequía y excesos de lluvia, parece que la cosecha de miel de USA va a ser mejor que la pobre cosecha del año pasado (la segunda más baja del registro). Algunos aportes fueron muy decepcionantes como el de néctar de tupelo y chinese tallow pero fueron mejores que la temporada pasada Las colmenas entraron a la primavera en buen estado y pudieron aprovechar las fuentes tempranas de néctar. Hay preocupación por la disminución de trébol  y alfalfa ante el avance de maiz y soja, especialmente en el medio oriente. Las pérdidas nacionales de invierno 2011-2012fueron del  21.9%, menores a pérdidas del 30 al 35% de años anteriores.

Hay buenas condiciones de mercado. A nivel mayorista la miel blanca y monoflorales llega a los U$A 2 por libra; se cita 1.75-1.90 para mieles ámbar

U.S. Honey Crops and Markets

U.S Honey Crops and Markets - July 2012

UNITED STATES

Despite setbacks due to either dry weather or too much rain at times, honey crops in the United States appear to be on track to eclipse last season’s very poor total crop of 148 million pounds (second lowest on record). Although dry weather hurt some of the later flows in the Southeast, earlier flows were generally better than last season and some beekeepers report above average yields. Some notable flows have been a disappointment such as the tupelo flow in Florida. Chinese tallow flows along the Gulf Coast have also been below expectations, but are definitely better than last season. The Southwest has had a much better spring honey crop due to improved soil moisture and stronger overwintered colonies.

Honey crop reports coming from the Northeast and Mideast are also better. At times dry weather has been a concern, especially in some of the Mideastern states. However, colonies came into spring in good shape and built up well on many early spring sources due to the nice weather. Reporters from the East Central and West Central areas are also more optimistic about this season due to better overwintering and the mild early spring. However, erratic weather has at times slowed colony build up and honey flows. Beekeepers are also very concerned about the continuing loss of clover and alfalfa pastures to corn and soybean plantings. This is especially apparent in the upper Midwest, which previously did not have the huge plantings of corn and soybeans due to the shorter growing season. However, the continued strong market for these grains has encouraged farmers to plant these crops in less-than-ideal climates.

The national survey of colony losses for the 2011-2012 winter confirmed what most beekeepers had been indicating earlier—that the mild winter and early spring had reduced colony winter losses significantly. The national figure given by the USDA and Apiary Inspectors of America was 21.9 percent. Losses during the last few previous years have been in the 30 to 35 percent range.

With a continued excellent honey market at both the wholesale and retail levels, beekeepers are anxious to maximize their surplus honey yields to take advantage of the situation. At the wholesale level, prices for white or varietal honey have reached the magic $2.00 per pound level in a number of locations in the United States. Amber honey prices are not far behind and are often being quoted in the $1.75 to $1.90 range. World supplies of honey continue to be limited and foreign producers are also starting to demand more return on their huge investments of time and money to produce a honey crop.

NORTHEAST—Earlier in the season beekeepers reported heavy swarming at times. Colonies were continuing to build up well. Beekeepers reported average to good flows earlier in the season from blueberries, black locust, sumac, tulip-poplar, and early clover. If adequate rain is received, more honey may be produced from clover and basswood before fall honey plants begin to bloom in late summer and early autumn. In some locations dry weather was a concern, while reporters in other parts of the area seemed to have adequate ground moisture. 
Beekeepers were anxious to extract this season’s crop because most had exhausted their inventories and their buyers were requesting new crop honey. Demand and pricing for honey remains excellent, according to our reporters.

MIDEAST—The extra early season had beekeepers scrambling to keep up with their colonies and honey flows. Some above normal swarming was a problem earlier in the spring. Fair to excellent honey crops were made from wildflowers, blueberries, tulip-poplar, sumac, blackberries and black locust. Colonies were continuing to work clover and wildflowers and some excellent honey flows were reported from these sources. In the mountains, producers are hoping for good late summer flows from sourwood and basswood. Dry weather was a concern in some parts of the Mideast. Colonies seem to be in good shape for the most part, but beekeepers will need to start checking mite and beetle population growth as the summer progresses. 
Many beekeepers were already extracting their spring honey crops and they were anxious to replenish their stocks since locally produced honey is in very short supply. Demand remains excellent at both the wholesale and retail levels. However, most small or side-line beekeepers sell virtually their entire crop at the retail level rather than selling it in barrels or 60 lb. buckets to packers.

SOUTHEAST—Florida honey crops came early and ended early. Dry weather in April brought a quick close to remaining ti ti, tupelo, gallberry, palmetto and wildflower flows. Orange honey crops produced earlier in the year were generally good, although some beekeepers missed this important flow because it came so early before they could transport their bees back from California almond pollination. A few beekeepers were lucky enough to make excellent honey crops, but others report average or below average spring honey production. Beekeepers said that they hoped May rains would help cabbage palm, Brazilian pepper, melaleuca and wildflower flows.

In Alabama, a similar early spring allowed beekeepers to make honey crops from poplars, blackberries, privet hedge and clover before the soil moisture dried up in April and May. Tallow flows along the Gulf Coast have been estimated to be better than last season, but still not back to normal for many beekeepers. Moisture conditions were somewhat better in Georgia, South Carolina, and Mississippi, but the season still came very early. Flows mentioned in Mississippi included wildflowers, privet hedge, blackberries and clover. If adequate moisture continues, beekeepers were also hoping for later flows from cotton, soybeans and then fall wildflowers. In Georgia, some of the best flows came from the north and central portions of the state this year. Fruit trees, wildflowers, clover and sourwood in the mountains were mentioned as providing good flows in the northern part of the state.

Beekeepers continue to indicate a very strong wholesale and retail demand for honey. New crop honey is selling for up to $2.00 per pound, with varietals such as tupelo, orange and sourwood going even higher than that. With the very strong local market for honey, many small to medium size beekeepers will be selling much of their crop at the retail level.