Business Updates
By Guy Chartier
We are committed to keeping our members informed about the latest developments in Canadian honey production and prices. In this edition, we present the most recent data from Statistics Canada on the production and value of the 2024 crop. Stay informed with us as we navigate the evolving landscape of the honey industry.
Canadian Honey Production
The 2024 Canadian honey crop experienced a significant decline, with production down 18% compared to 2023 and 8% lower than the previous four-year average. Reports were that most beekeepers in the Prairie Provinces faced challenges due to a shorter bloom period for canola, driven by high temperatures and low precipitation.
Honey Prices
left in beekeepers’ warehouses and buyers are not actively looking to buy Canadian honey at the moment.
In October, we also reported that the United States Department of Commerce had scheduled the final determination of duties for Argentinean honey (over 50% for some importers) for January. The determination has now been delayed to April 7, 2025. This event caused a lot of uncertainty for U.S. honey buyers sourcing Argentinean and for this reason some had turned to Canada in 2024, for a more reliable source of honey. This move is reflected in Statistics Canada data that shows exports to the United States at 16.1M pounds in 2024 versus 7.5M pounds in 2023.
Since October, when we last reported honey prices to be in the range of $2.00 to $2.10, prices seem to have remained fairly stable. We do not believe that there is very much Canadian honey
Now that the Trump administration is threatening duties on most Canadian goods shipped to the United States, there is short term uncertainty for the price of Canadian honey shipped to the United States. If the threats from Trump continue into the next honey crop season, it could be very difficult to set any long-term contracts with U.S. buyers this fall.
MARKET UPDATE
Bee Maid Bee Supplies Pre Orders: Secure Your Spring Supplies
Spring is fast approaching, and now is the time to place your preorders for essential bee supplies, as well as queens and packaged bees. Preordering ensures you get what you need when you need it—don’t wait until the rush!. Plan ahead and set your operation up for success. Contact your local Bee Supplies team and get your preorders in!
2025 Co-operative Holiday Closures
Good Friday
Fri Apr. 18 2025
Victoria Day Mon May. 19 2025
Canada Day Tues Jul. 1 2025
Year-End Inventory Count (Bee Supplies Only) Thurs Jul. 31 2025
Civic Holiday
Labour Day
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Mon Aug. 4 2025
Mon Sep. 1 2025
Tues Sep. 30 2025
Thanksgiving Mon Oct.13 2025
The Members Online Portal is your source for all information regarding your membership at the Cooperative.
The Portal experience allows for anytime, anywhere access to valuable information such various membership forms, payment information, newsletters, as well as your account statements.
Visit the Members Online Portal regularly to be sure that you are getting the most out of your membership experience at http://portal.beemaid.com.
If you have not yet claimed your Online Portal account, or if you have any other questions, please email all inquiries to portal@beemaid.com and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Member Regional Meetings
Spring 2025
Bee Maid and the Co-operatives will be holding Member Regional Meetings this Spring as follows:
ALBERTA MEETINGS
Mallaig Tuesday, March 25 10:00am
Peace River Area
Wednesday, March 26 10:00am
Spruce Grove Thursday, March 27 10:00am
MANITOBA MEETINGS DATE TIME
Winnipeg Tuesday, April 15 10:00am
Brandon Wednesday, April 16 10:00am
SASKATCHEWAN MEETINGS
Shellbrook
Tuesday, April 22 10:00am
Tisdale Wednesday, April 23 10:00am
Saskatoon Thursday, April 24 10:00am
An email containing additional event details has been emailed to members. Please confirm your attendance via the registration link (click here). Deadline to register is March 18, 2025
New & Improved Member Statements - Launching March 21
We’ve heard your feedback, and we’re excited to introduce our new and improved member statements, launching March 15, 2025! Designed to be clearer and more insightful, these statements will include:
• Graphs to help you understand your business
•Recaps for a quick overview
•Deferred equity details
•A readable, easy-to-understand format
To help you make the most of these updates, we’ll email you a 'How to Read Your Statement' guide on March 18.
Monthly Beekeeping Workshops Launching This Spring at Bee Maid Bee Supplies
Project R6 Underway!
We’re excited to announce the launch of Project R6, now in the discovery phase. Now that we’ve settled into our new facilities, it’s time to address Member concerns and create a more efficient honey intake process.
What is Project R6?
This initiative will focus on streamlining drum distribution, improving honey intake efficiency and addressing your feedback. Our goal is to ensure the intake process works better for everyone. Throughout the project, we’ll be keeping members informed about progress and new intake methodologies.
Thank you to those who participated in our online survey in February and provided feedback on member needs.
Share Your Expertise As A Class Instructor or Demonstrator
We’re excited to announce that starting this spring, we’ll be hosting monthly workshops at our Winnipeg and Spruce Grove Bee Supplies locations! Open to the beekeeping community, these sessions will cover a variety of topics to support both new and experienced beekeepers.
We’d love for our Members to get involved! If you’re interested in sharing your expertise as a speaker or presenter, have suggestions for workshop topics, or would like to help in any facet of the workshops, we’d love to hear from you.
Reach out to sbowden@beemaid.com to let us know how you’d like to participate.
We are confident that Project R6 will bring positve changes and benefits to all Members and thank you for your support as we move forward with this initiative. Please note that due to scheduling changes to this project, honey intake appointments will be delayed until May.
More information on this project will be sent to members. Please check your email for updates.
Bee Maid & Co-op Leaders Build Skills for the Future
By Shannon Bowden
In January, managers from the Co-ops and Bee Maid took part in an engaging Leadership Training program designed to strengthen their skills and prepare them for the challenges of today’s workplace. The two-day session focused on key areas of leadership, from personal growth to organizational impact.
The training covered four leadership domains:
•Personal Leadership: Developing integrity, mindset, and engagement
•Interpersonal Leadership Building trust, relationships, and mentorship
•Team Leadership
Creating clarity, alignment, and connection
•Organizational Leadership Driving strategy, innovation, and crossdepartment collaboration
Participants also worked on their Personal Leadership Statement, a self-reflection tool to help define their leadership philosophy and development goals. The event was not only insightful, but also a great opportunity for team building, including a team dinner after day one.
To build on this foundation, there will be four additional half-day sessions throughout the year, allowing managers to dive deeper into these topics and continue their leadership growth.
By investing in leadership development, we’re strengthening our teams and setting the stage for future success!
Pictured: Managers from all three locations had the opportunity to spend time together over dinner.
Interim Payment - 2024 Pool
The second interim payment on the 2024-2025 honey crop is 0.25 cents per pound for Pool A and Pool B white honey. This payment will be credited to Members’ accounts on March 14, 2025.
Reinstatements
Members who have not delivered 5,000 pounds of honey this year should send a letter to the Board requesting reinstatement in you have not already done so.
Letter of Guarantee / Risk Residue Survey / APP Forms
The Letter of Guarantee and Risk Residue Survey will be mailed to Members in April for the 2025-26 crop year along with the APP Forms. Please fill out these forms and reutrn ASAP to Bernadette Juros (bjuros@beemaid.com). These forms will also be available on the member portal. These forms must be submitted prior to delivering honey to the Co-op.
CFIA License / True Source Certificate
Please forward a copy of your CFIA License and True Source Certificate to Bernadette Juros (bjuros@beemaid.com).
Beaverlodge Beekeepers Field Day
The Beaverlodge Beekeepers Field Day will be held on Friday June 20, 2025. Stay tuned for more event details!
Buzzing News: Manitoba Bee Supplies Store Expands to Elgin!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of a satellite BeeMaid Bee Supplies location in Elgin, MB! This exciting development means our members can now conveniently pick up essential items for their operations in smaller quantities, all while enjoying the benefits of full truckload pricing for freight.
We’re keeping the assortment to the essentials as we approach this as a learning opportunity for future seasons. Our goal is to expand and hopefully establish more locations that meet the needs of the majority of our members.
Members will have the flexibility to charge their
Annual Member Survey 2025/26
Please be sure to complete the Annual Member Survey for the 2025/26 crop year as soon as possible. This survey is available on the Member Online Portal and can be accessed by clicking the link here.
If you require a hard copy of the survey, please contact Tracie Thompson by email (tthompson@beemaid.com) or by phone at 1-204-783-2240 *221.
Interim Payment - 2024 Pool
The second interim payment on the 2024/25 honey crop is 22 cents per pound in both Pool A and Pool B for all colour classes.
The Board is proposing another payment in June between 19-25 cents per pound. This payment will be confirmed following the Board meeting in early June, at which time members will be informed.
Reinstatements
Members who have not delivered the minimum requirement of 5,000 pounds of honey this year should send a letter to the Board requesting reinstatement, if you have not already done so. Please send your letters to kmiles@beemaid.com.
Hours: Monday - Friday (8:30am - 5:30pm)
Contact: 204-769-2118 | Atl. 204-741-0703
Directions:
1.On the East side of Elgin, turn South on pr448 for 3 miles
2.Turn East at rd 27N for 1.5 miles
3.The Satellite Store is located at site 122082.