I am a little surprised that the 'news' about Sioux Bee and the Argentina coop has received so much attention, as this ground was extensively covered on this list about 3 years ago. At some point Sioux Bee decided that they were going to lose significant market share if they did not join the crowd and buy cheap honey from Argentina and China to blend with their more expensive honey from the US. Under our crazy labeling regulations they then changed their label to read (approximately) 'this honey may be from US, Canadian, Argentina or Chinese sources'. Their logic was that they best served their members by maintaining or increasing market share, and the only way they could do that was to insure that their costs of honey were not higher than those of their competitors. I don't have to tell you that this led to producer/packers in Buffalo New York losing market share to Sioux Honey (with their all-american image)...but on the other hand for several years the members of Sioux Bee received 20%+ more for their honey than if they had to sell it on the open market to those such as Dutch Gold. All of this was extensively discussed on this list. Much of the material I obtained from a Board member of Sioux Bee. It would appear that the only thing that has happened 'now' is that Sioux Bee has taken steps to assure themselves of a source of inexpensive honey for the future. If China is unable to straighten out their problems, or divert enough of their honey to Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, etc. for re-shipment, Sioux Bee will still have a source of inexpensive honey to 'blend'. My reading is that Sioux Bee would like our crazy labeling regulations to be changed so that they could have two 'brands'. One All-American that they could sell for a 'premium' price, and another labeled as from 'foreign' sources. However, the major food companies are totally against this, as are the grocery chains, etc. Until it happens, Sioux Bee is going to protect their market share by joining the crowd. Lloyd Lloyd Spear, Owner of Ross Rounds, manufacturer of comb honey equipment for beekeepers and Sundance pollen traps. http://www.rossrounds.com [log in to unmask]