At a honey farm run by a family in central Alberta, the harvest season is underway. However, uncertainty looms over this year’s honey crop as producers are concerned about a trade agreement 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 has nearly 3,000 hives spread across around 90 locations in the heart of Alberta, the largest honey-producing province in Canada.
A deadline of August 19 is approaching, causing anxiety for thousands of local producers like Prins. The proposed 50 percent tariff on honey by the U.S. could potentially impact their primary export market significantly.
In July, the U.S. administration threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, including honey, alleging unfair trade practices. This move was unexpected as Canadian honey had previously been exempt from tariffs under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
The wet summer had already raised concerns about this year’s honey production levels for Prins. Now, the additional threat of U.S. tariffs jeopardizes honey prices, adding to the challenges faced by producers.
Rod Scarlett, the executive director of the Canadian Honey Council, expressed surprise at the inclusion of honey among the goods facing potential tariffs.
With the industry generating over $241 million in revenues nationally in 2025, Scarlett highlighted Alberta as the leading honey producer in Canada, with the Prairie region contributing significantly to the production.
Despite Prins selling honey locally, he anticipates the impact of new tariffs on domestic prices if Canadian exporters lose their primary international market.
“It will leave a substantial amount of honey in Alberta, potentially causing significant price decreases this year,” Prins remarked.
A Race Against Time
Canadian beekeepers typically export about 70 percent of their honey to the U.S. Scarlett noted a recent surge in shipments to the U.S. as producers hurried to transport their products before the tariffs are enforced.
Jeremy Olthof, the owner of Tees Bees located south of Edmonton, highlighted the tariff threat as an added challenge in a year already disrupted by wet weather affecting extraction schedules.
“Many beekeepers are scrambling due to the delayed timelines this year,” Olthof shared, echoing concerns about potential price drops impacting his business.
Impacts Across the Board
Barbara McKenzie, the executive director of the Alberta Beekeepers Commission, emphasized the potential catastrophic consequences for Canadian producers if access to the U.S. market is lost.
A survey conducted by the organization revealed that many producers anticipate an immediate collapse in exports if the tariffs are imposed.
“The repercussions go beyond honey production, affecting pollination and various food crops,” McKenzie noted, stressing the industry’s vital role in pollinating canola, fruits, and vegetables.
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