As honeybee populations decline at unprecedented rates, honey prices are expected to rise.
Honeybees play a critical role in agriculture. Beekeepers describe the decline as catastrophic, and some experts warn the crisis could affect both honey and produce prices well beyond the summer.
Colonies could decline by 60 to 70% this year due to a dangerous combination of mites, pesticides, habitat loss and hive theft, according to economists at Washington State University.
In California, hive theft is up 87% since 2013, with 10,000 hives stolen — worth more than $3.5 million, per the California State Beekeepers Association.
Thefts are most common during almond season, when farmers pay between $185 and $300 per hive.
Prices for popular summer produce — such as almonds, apples, strawberries and avocados — are expected to increase.