FRESNO, Calif.—An April 29 report from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service notes that managed honeybee colonies declined about 34% from Oct. 2009 through April 2010—a 29% higher rate of decline compared to 2009. This recent rapid rate of decline has alarmed experts in the field.
California crops that could be affected by this ongoing decline in managed honeybee populations include almonds, apricots, broccoli, and cherries. California is the largest producer of almonds in the world, responsible for 80% of the world’s almonds. During 2009—a down year (when harvests dropped 18%)—the state yielded 1.4 billion pounds of almonds valued at $1.8 billion. Almond trees require honeybees for successful pollination. Self-pollinating almond trees are still in agricultural testing phases.
Researchers have still been unable to find any conclusive answers to the decline of managed honeybee pollinator colonies.