Mike

> But I am having trouble imagining a realistic scenario where the overhead
> and avoided costs would eat up a 10x advantage in price - or even the 3x
> advantage at international bulk rates. What am I missing here?

My point was about prolific vs thrifty bees, not whether to remove all the
crop.  Prolific bees can easily take 2 blocks of fondant or more, whereas
thrifty bees might need half a block - sometimes nothing at all if the brood
box is well-stocked.  I have found no difference in overall crop after
moving to thrifty bees, so my income has increased by possibly £20 per hive
and as far as I am concerned that shows that it is the thrifty bees that
take care of the beekeeper better.

I do not normally leave honey, other than that in the broodbox.

As to prices, they are very variable here depending on which part of the UK
you live.  Retail prices at the door can vary from as low as £2 up to around
£6.  Perhaps £4 is about the average.  Wholesale probably averages £3-4.
Bulk honey in drums (661lbs) seems to be around £1.90 - surprising given the
appalling year we have had, but we are still in recession.  I saw some
English honey in our local supermarket that was reduced to clear as it had
reached its Best Before date - no wonder they have stopped buying.

Best wishes

Peter
52.144442, 1.503509

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