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GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



October, 1917 



HONEY MARKETS 



Conditions in the honey market remain 

 much the same as during the past two 

 months, characterized by uncertainty and 

 influenced by the abnormal war conditions 

 that have unsettled all food prices. Prices 

 for honey at present are abnormally high, 

 and, we believe, will remain high, for the 

 demand seems brisk and very much of the 

 1917 crop is already sold. The fact that the 

 entire American sugar industry will be plac- 

 ed under government control Oct. 1, and that 

 sugar prices have already materially de- 

 clined because of this fact, may have a ten- 

 dency to lower honey prices somewhat. Here 

 is what the United States Monthly Crop Re- 

 port for Sept. 1 had to say about honey: 



The yield of honey per colony for the United 

 States, which on July 1 was but I'SVz pounds, about 

 half tlie production on that date in the previous two 

 years, had on Sept. 1 increased to an average of 

 35.9 pounds, almost equal to the 1915 yield tho still 

 decidedly below the yield on that date in 1916. 



The wholesale prices of honey on September 1 

 reported by correspondents average for the United 

 States 13.3 cents per pound for white, 11.6 for 

 amber, and 10.5 for dark extracted; 16.5 for white 

 and 14.0 for amber and dark comb; 15.1 for white 

 and 13.3 for amber and dark chunk or bulk comb 

 honey, the chunk honey being produced and sold 

 for local consumption principally in the South. 

 These figures include some prices quoted for whole- 

 sale consignments of less then one ton. 



Gleanings within the last month has in- 

 quired from reliable and disinterested 

 sources, from widely different points in the 

 country, as to (1) actual prices received for 

 honey (2) and for what prices honey-produc- 

 ers who have not already sold are holding 

 their crop. 



From Idaho comes a report furnished by 

 one of the large honey-producers' associa- 

 tions that the lowest price paid for extracted 

 in five-gallon cans, within the association 's 

 knowledge, is 12i/4c, one car going to Seattle 

 at that price. This association has sold 

 several cars at 121/2 and 13c; has put a 

 price of 14c on the balance left and has been 

 offered 13%c for this balance. This asso- 

 ciation 's entire comb-honey crop has been 

 sold at $3.25 for fancy, $3.00 for No. 1, and 

 $2.75 for No. 2 — except one car which sold 

 at 25c per case above these prices. This 

 association reports some Idaho jiroducers as 

 selling at $3.00, $2.80, and $2.60 (fancy. No. 

 1 and No. 2) to coast points and paying 10c 

 per case brokerage. All comb honey sold. 

 Another Idaho producers ' association reports 

 the sale of extracted (in- 60-lb. cans) at 12e 

 and selling locally at 14c. This association 

 has as yet sold no comb honey, and is hold- 

 ing for $3.75 for fancy, $3.50 for No. 1, and 

 $3.25 for No. 2. 



A Colorado honey-producers ' association 

 reports selling to jobbers at the following 

 prices: white extracted, per 60-lb. can, 

 $8.64; comb No. 1 white, per case, $4.05; 

 No. 2, per case, $3.60. 



The Wisconsin State Beekeepers' Associa- 

 tion reports extracted sold at 14c; comb at 

 16 to 18c. 



From officers of the Michigan State Bee- 

 keepers' association comes this report: A 

 very few beekeepers have sold their extract- 

 ed as low as 9c; a few for 10c, but most of 

 the large producers have received from 12 

 to 15c; the small comb-honey crop has been 

 turned over to the stores at an average price 

 of about 19c, but some who have shipped 

 have 'received as low as 15c and some as 

 high as 22c. Michigan producers, who have 

 not sold, are reported as holding their ex- 

 tracted for 15c. Most car offers are 12c to 

 12% f. 0. b. shipping-point. 



From New York State's honey -producers' 

 association comes this report: No. 1 fancy 

 comb, $4.25 to $5.00 per case; most of No. 

 1 has sold for $4.50 per case; white extract- 

 ed, all not early contracted at 10c net, has 

 sold from 13 to 16c per lb., and the bulk of 

 it moving at 14i/^ and 15e at producers' 

 points; comVj and extracted almost all sold, 

 and buyers snapping up all extracted they 

 can at 15c. The N. Y. State Beekeepers' 

 Association reports white extracted as hav- 

 ing been sold at 12i^c, and dark honey held 

 at lie; fancy comb honey being held 

 for $4.50 per case; No. 1 buckwheat comb 

 and No. 2 white held at $3.50 per case. 

 GENERAL MARKKTS 



PORTLAND. — Comb honev, fancy, $4.00; No. 

 1, $3.75; No. 2, $3.50. Extracted honey, white 

 brings 16c; light amber, in cans, 15; amber, in cans, 

 none offered. Beeswax, none offered. 



Portland, Ore., Sept. 15. Pacific Honey Co. 



KANSAS CITY. — The movement of honey, both 

 extracted and comb, is slow, as the trade com- 

 plains of the high price. We quote comb bonev, 

 fancy, $4.50; No. 1, $4.35; No. 2, $4.15. White 

 extracted honey, per lb., brings 15 cts. ; light am- 

 ber, in cans, 14. CUean, average yellow beeswax 

 brings 40 cts. C. C. Clemons Produce Co. 



Kansas City, Sept. 17. 



NEW YORK. — There is a good supply of honey 

 in the market; but the foreign buyers are rather 

 scarce at present. There is no decline in prices, 

 as those holding honey expect orders later. New 

 York State producers are holding for 13 to 15 for 

 white; 12 for buckwheat. 



New York City, Sept. 20. 



BUFFALO. — Very little honey is offering. Some 

 of the largest shippers advise their supply is limited, 

 and less than last year. We quote comb honey, 

 extra fancy, per lb., 22. Extracted honey, white, 

 per lb., 15. Gleason & Lansing. 



Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 18. 



ARIZONA. — Demand exceeds supply. Crop well 

 shipped out in car lots. Very few cars left. Prices 

 strong, indicating an_ advance. We quote extracted 

 honey, white, per case of 120 lbs., $13.00, in car 

 lots; light amber, in cans, $12.60, in car lots; 

 amber, in cans, $12.40, in car lots. Clean, average 

 yellow beeswax brings 30c. Wm. Lossing. 



Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 16. 



PHILADELPHIA. — We have considerable in- 

 quiry as to probable price on new comb honey, but 

 have had very little to offer. Buyers are re- 

 luctant to obligate themselves as to future pur- 

 chases on the present outlook of prices. On comb 

 honey we have made some jobbing sales at 20 to 22 

 cts. Can count for extra fancv. Beeswax brings 

 3 8 to 40. ■ Chas. Munder. 



Philadelphia, Sept. 21. 



CLEVELAND. — Old crop of comb honey is all 

 used up. New honey is arriving in small lots. De- 

 mand is fair. Comb honey, fancy, brings per case, 

 $5.00; No. 1, $4.75. C. Chandler's Sons. 



Cleveland, O., Sept. 19. 



