U.S. 50% tariff stalls Canadian honey exports, threatens beekeepers and pollination

A 50 percent levy imposed by the United States on Canadian honey has effectively stopped most cross-border shipments, creating a surplus that could depress prices for Canadian consumers in the short run. Researchers note that the prairie provinces, which host 63 percent of the nation’s bee colonies and generate 80 percent of honey output, are especially vulnerable. Producers such as Podolski Honey Farms report losing up to 90 percent of their clientele, while a short harvest this year limits the ability to absorb lower prices.

Academics stress that beekeepers cannot reduce hive numbers, and a prolonged market squeeze could ripple into the pollination sector that underpins crops like canola and blueberries. Industry leaders are urging the government to seek new export partners and to promote domestic honey, while also calling for stricter testing of imported honey, some of which is adulterated. The Canadian Honey Council has appealed to major food manufacturers to highlight Canadian honey in their products, hoping to offset the trade shock.