We were shown a chart last night at our club meeting that indicated honey 
production was relatively stable or up even though the number of managed 
hives has dropped by half since WWII.  Showed big drop with advent of 
trachael mite and trend continued with advent of varroa.  In addition, there 
was almost total decimation of the wild honeybee population leading to a 
conclusion of very little competition left for the remaining hives as far as 
pollination and collection of nectar is concerned.  "Pollination" is now the 
horse pulling the cart with many of the large commercial beekeeping outfits. 
In the process, they are producing as much or more honey than ever.   At 
present, pollination can't be imported like honey.  I don't see the big 
commercial migratory beekeepers being replaced anytime soon.

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