Beekeepers fear for future as alarming bee colony losses threaten food supply

There has been an alarming increase in honey bee colony losses this year, according to a recent study.

"Project Apis m," a non-profit that supports the beekeeping community, conducted a study with 842 beekeepers to assess the severity of bee deaths.

This study shows commercial beekeepers are reporting an average loss of 62% of their colonies between June of 2024 and March of 2025.

The study also says around 1.6 million colonies were lost, with economic impacts on beekeepers estimated at over $600 million.

Shannon Ingram is a beekeeper, and owner of Lazy Elk Apiary in Bradley County.

On average, a commercial beekeeper will lose anywhere from 30 to 40% of their colonies. This year, they're losing about 60 to 80% of their colonies, which is unsustainable, said Ingram.

Ingram is also a board member of the Ocoee Region Beekeepers Association.

She says the loss of bees can directly impact the food supply.

The honey bee provides us with about three quarters of our food supply. So it's not just a matter of if you like to eat honey or don't like to eat honey. The bees have to pollinate, for example, almonds.

Ingram says the almond industry was about 300 bee colonies short for almond pollination alone.

The US Department of Agriculture notes that Pollination by managed honey bee colonies adds at least $18 billion to the value of U.S. agriculture annually

She says beekeepers and community members doing their part to help protect bees are crucial.

We need beekeepers. We need young beekeepers too, joining a local bee club is a great way. It's free. It doesn't cost anything to go to meetings for a bee club, you can go learn all about honey bees, and you get a free mentor

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The study also notes that The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service has sent researchers to analyze field samples collected from 114 colonies in California to try to figure out the root cause of the bee deaths.

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