Hi all
A few weeks ago I posted a query about the cost of queens, which seems high (it always did, I guess). I combed through the old journals (I have all of Bee Culture and ABJ going back to 1900) and discovered a curious correlation. The price of single queen bees is almost always ten times the going wholesale price of honey. 

In 1910, for example, honey sold for 7 cents a pound and a queen was 75 cents. In 1920, $.15 and $1.50. During the depression, prices fell: honey was 5 cents and a queen cost half a dollar. 

By 1950, honey was going for ten cents a pound and a queen could be bought for a dollar. Prices in 1990: honey = $.52; queen = $5.75. 

In 2005, honey wholesaled for $1.25 and single queen price was typically $12.00. This year, honey prices are around $2-3.00 and queens around $22.00 to $30 up.

I would like to compare this to cost of producing honey. Interestingly, EF Phillips said in 1916:

> Any one familiar with the conditions surrounding the industry must realize that the crop may be increased ten times without increasing the cost of production per pound.

Put that in your smoker and smoke it!

Pete

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html