Paid Pollinated Acres Dropped, While Price Per Acre Went Up, Between 2017-2022

For the first time since 2017, the USDA has tracked the business of pollinators.

In 2022, paid pollinated acres increased by 5.4% for cherries, but decreased for apple (10.3%), peaches (48.3%) and pears (3.4%).  The price per acre increased 35.6% for apples to $62.80, increased 42.7% for cherries to $115.00, decreased 24.9% for peaches to $37.30, and decreased 1.0% for pears to $61.30.

Total number of colonies used increased by 5.6% for apples, increased by 31.7% for cherries, decreased by 54.2% for peaches, and decreased by 4.2% for pears.  Price per colony increased by 12.3% for apples to $58.30, increased by 14.4% for cherries to $60.20, increased by 3.7% for peaches to $47.70, and increased by 0.2% for pears to $55.80.

Total value of pollination increased 18.6% for apples, increased 50.7% for cherries, decreased 52.7% for peaches, and decreased 4.0% for pears.  The total value of pollination for these four tree fruit crops totaled $12.7 million, up 25% from 2017.

When it comes to berries, paid pollinated acres decreased by 7.6% for blueberries, decreased 29.3% for cranberries and decreased 36.9% for raspberries compared to 2017.  The price per acre increased by 29.5% for blueberries to $136, decreased by 11.3 percent for cranberries to $118, and increased by 36.1% for raspberries to $58.40.

Colonies used increased by 11.4% for blueberries, decreased by 38.1% for cranberries, and decreased 35% for raspberries.  Price per colony increased by 12.9% for blueberries to $50.90, decreased by 1.9% for cranberries to $73.90, and increased by 20.4% for raspberries to $40.20.

Total value of pollination increased by 25.7% for blueberries, decreased by 39.3% for cranberries, and decreased by 21.9% for raspberries.  The total value of pollination for these three berry crops totaled $2.73 million, up 0.8% from 2017.

When looking at both tree fruit and berries, paid pollinated acres decreased by 10% for all crops when compared to 2017 values.  The price per acre increased by 14.6% to $74.70.

The number of colonies used decreased 6.2%.  The price per colony increased by 11.2% to $55.70.  The total value of pollination increased by 4.3% to $17.5 million.

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