While Texas commercial honey producers report lower than expected yields, some of the state’s small-scale beekeepers enjoyed a sweeter-than-average year, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
According to a recently released report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, commercial beekeepers in Texas produced 2.1 million pounds of honey in 2025, compared to 4 million pounds in 2024.
Garett Slater, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension entomologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton and assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, said the decline is likely the result of several factors.
Varroa mites, a parasite that feeds on honey bees, and the viruses they spread, have remained the biggest threats to colonies across the state in recent years.
“Spring of 2025 was very challenging for beekeepers,” Slater said. “The entire year saw the loss of 62% of colonies nationwide. Viruses and pesticide-resistant varroa mites were especially damaging.”
Despite lower commercial honey production, small-scale beekeepers in some regions of the state reported stronger honey yields during the 2025 production season. (Courtney Sacco and Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Small-scale beekeepers report improvements
The decrease in production drops Texas to the 14th-largest honey producing state, after ranking eighth last year.
The USDA reported commercial honey bee colonies in Texas produced an average of 30 pounds of honey, which sold for $3.91 per pound, a $1.50 increase from 2024. That jump wasn’t isolated to Texas, as honey prices nationwide increased 27%. Nationwide, honey production fell to 115.7 million pounds, down from nearly 135 million pounds the previous year.
Despite the decrease in commercial production, Slater said small-scale beekeepers in Texas aren’t feeling the same sting. A new AgriLife Extension survey of almost 650 beekeepers across the state found that small-scale beekeepers reported production levels of 20 to 40 pounds per colony, on par with the commercial average of 30 pounds this year.
“In the conversations I’ve had with beekeepers … in general production was better than it has been in years past,” Slater said.
He said small-scale producers in East Texas, North Texas and West Texas saw improvements since last year. Survey results indicated most small-scale beekeepers in those regions reported above-average yields, which were boosted by timely rains that led to strong wildflower blooms.
AgriLife Extension offers support to beekeepers
Slater said ongoing honey bee research and outreach programs are addressing the challenges Texas beekeepers face. Research projects focused on rearing healthier queens and drones as well as boosting colony nutrition to reduce losses.
To better equip beekeepers across the state to increase yields and promote colony health, Slater said AgriLife Extension also offers the Texas Master Beekeeper program for beekeepers of all levels. Four hands-on regional field days are being offered in Overton, Lubbock, Lakehills and Fort Worth in April and early May in support of the beekeeper program.
Also unique to the program are queen-rearing courses, hands-on learning opportunities that share how to raise quality, locally adapted queens.
Slater said AgriLife Extension is supporting honey producers across the state by emphasizing community support.
“We’re working with beekeepers to figure out how to communicate with cities and municipalities to prevent pesticide-related losses.”
AgriLife Extension will also launch a new colony loss survey in early April that will provide researchers data from across the state for analysis.
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
A map of the 12 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service districts.
Panhandle
Extreme conditions persisted across the region, with widespread drought, record heat, high winds and low humidity, which increased wildfire risk. Rain was urgently needed. Soil moisture ranged from very short to short. Dry weather delayed field preparation for cotton and sorghum. Wheat and livestock conditions declined. Winter wheat, pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to poor.
South Plains
Topsoil and subsoil moisture remained low due to continued dry, windy and hot conditions. No measurable precipitation was reported. Field preparation continued when winds allowed. Corn planting progressed slowly and was limited to fields with pre[KL1] irrigation. Tillage and preplant work continued for corn, cotton, sorghum, cucumbers and silage. Livestock conditions remained fair with heavy supplemental feeding. Producers sought guidance on emergency grazing in Conservation Reserve Program pastures. Some grazing in irrigated winter wheat continued.
Rolling Plains
Hot, dry and windy conditions continued, further depleting soil moisture and stock tank levels. Rainfall was urgently needed. Winter wheat and oats remained under stress, with some fields deteriorating or zeroed out. Fire danger increased and grazing conditions declined. Livestock conditions were fair to good with diet supplementation as spring calf work continued. Fieldwork included cotton planting preparation and fertilization of hay fields. Corn acreage may decline, with some fields converted to cotton.
North
Dry, warm and windy conditions persisted. Topsoil moisture declined, though rain was forecast. Winter wheat and corn were progressing but needed moisture. Wheat and oats reached flag leaf to boot stages, with some heading. Aphids and barley yellow dwarf virus were reported in some oat fields. Corn and sorghum emerged in most areas. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Livestock remained in good condition with grazing. Feral hog activity remained high.
East
Drought conditions briefly improved before high winds and above-average temperatures reduced moisture again. Some areas entered severe drought. Soil moisture was short, and pasture conditions were fair. Dry conditions slowed crop growth. Producers supplemented livestock feed, with some purchasing hay from out of state. Livestock conditions were fair to good. Feral hog activity increased.
Far West
Above-average temperatures, low humidity and persistent winds continued to dry soils. Little to no precipitation was reported, with soil moisture very short to short. Rainfall was needed to support forage and crop development. Irrigated crops progressed well, while dryland crops, including wheat, remained under stress in poor to fair condition. Field preparation for cotton continued. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor to fair. Livestock conditions were fair with supplemental feeding.
Central
Hot, dry conditions persisted, with minimal rainfall. A late-week cold front brought cooler temperatures. Bermuda grass remained dormant, limiting grazing. Hay supplies declined, and input costs affected production decisions. Wheat and oats progressed ahead of schedule, while corn showed some frost damage. Cotton planting began but paused due to dry soils. Livestock conditions were steady with continued supplementation. Insect and disease pressure remained low.
Southeast
Dry conditions continued, with widespread need for rainfall and some burn bans in place. Seasonal forage transition was underway, with cool-season forages declining and warm-season forages emerging. Planting progressed where moisture allowed, including rice and row crops. Pasture conditions varied widely, while soil moisture ranged from very short to adequate. Livestock conditions were generally fair to good, and supplemental feeding continued.
Southwest
Dry, windy conditions persisted, further reducing soil moisture. Limited precipitation was reported. Corn and cotton plantings lagged behind normal, with some dry planting underway. Emerging corn showed fair stands despite dry conditions. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor, and livestock required supplementation. Wildlife activity remained high due to limited forage. Planting was expected to progress with anticipated rainfall.
Coastal Bend
Dry conditions continued, with soil moisture limiting crop and pasture progress. Corn was in fair condition but needed rainfall. Cotton and rice planting progressed where moisture allowed, while sorghum planting began. Pastures remained stressed and slow to recover from freeze damage. Livestock conditions held with continued supplementation and hay feeding.
South
Hot, dry and windy conditions persisted, with extreme to exceptional drought across the district. Soil moisture remained depleted, and rainfall was limited. Irrigated crops progressed, while dryland planting lagged. Many producers planted into dry soils to meet deadlines, with some acreage unplanted. Cotton acreage declined. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor, with elevated fire danger. Livestock required heavy supplementation, and hay supplies tightened. Wildlife and livestock stress increased due to lack of water and forage.
