Bees Are Buzzing
Honeybees have made a big comeback since the colony collapse crisis. Now these tiny creatures are the fastest-growing type of livestock in the country
Across most of the U.S., honeybees are increasing in numbers.
NOTE: the content below was originally published to Axios' San Antonio Newsletter on August 20, 2024. It was written by Asher Price and Jacob Knutsen.
Honeybees have made a big comeback since the colony collapse crisis of the early 2000s. Now, these tiny creatures are the fastest-growing type of livestock in the country.
- In Texas, the number of colonies grew 59.9% in five years, from 5,591 in 2017 to 8,939 in 2022, per data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Why it matters: The high hive losses a couple of decades ago led to fears that the domesticated western honeybee, a key part of the world's food system, was headed for widespread population collapse from pesticides, climate change and invasive mites.
Zoom in: A dozen years ago, Texas lawmakers approved tax breaks for keeping bees on at least five acres.
Go deeper: U.S. bee farms are increasing
Worthy of your time: How a chance meeting helped Texas become the nation's top beekeeping state