Harvest activities are currently underway at a family-operated honey farm in central Alberta. However, there is a sense of unease surrounding this year’s honey production as producers closely monitor the countdown to a trade agreement deadline with the United States.
Lorne Prins, the owner of Gull Lake Honey, located approximately 130 kilometers south of Edmonton, expressed frustration over the situation. The farm, with nearly 3,000 hives spread across about 90 locations in Alberta, faces the potential impact of a proposed 50% U.S. tariff on honey, which could disrupt their primary export market.
The sudden threat of tariffs by the U.S. administration in July caught the industry off-guard. Previously exempt under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Canadian honey is now among the goods facing potential tariffs due to alleged unfair trade practices.
The wet summer has already posed challenges for honey production levels this year, adding to concerns about the impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian honey prices. The executive director of the Canadian Honey Council, Rod Scarlett, expressed surprise at the inclusion of honey in the tariff list, highlighting the significance of Alberta as Canada’s largest honey producer.
While some producers like Prins primarily sell locally, the ripple effect of losing the U.S. market could still lead to a substantial drop in domestic honey prices. With Canadian beekeepers typically exporting 70% of their honey to the U.S., the looming tariffs have triggered a rush to move shipments before the deadline.
Barbara McKenzie of the Alberta Beekeepers Commission warned that losing access to the U.S. market could have catastrophic consequences for Canadian producers, affecting not only honey but also pollination services for various crops. The agricultural industry stands to lose billions of dollars if the tariffs come into effect.
As the deadline approaches, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has engaged with industry stakeholders to assess potential impacts. While federal programs like AgriInvest and AgriStability offer support, the uncertainty surrounding the trade agreement leaves producers in a state of anxious anticipation.
Amid these challenges, beekeepers like Jeremy Olthof of Tees Bees are left hoping for a swift resolution to the trade dispute to avoid the detrimental effects on their businesses and the broader agricultural sector.