Almonds and Honey Bees: An Essential Partnership

Why Honey Bees Matter

Honey bees are the most essential managed pollinator in agriculture today. Their large colony size, ability to be transported efficiently, and foraging consistency make them uniquely suited to pollinating a wide range of crops. In California alone, honey bees support pollination for almonds as well as alfalfa seed, cherries, melons, prunes, plums, strawberries, sunflowers, and vegetable seeds.  

For almonds and bees, it’s a symbiotic relationship. Almond bloom marks the start of the growing season for both almonds and honey bees. As the first large-scale crop to bloom each spring, almonds provide bees with a highly nutritious food source when few others are available, and every almond we enjoy exists because a honey bee pollinated that flower. While research continues on self-compatible almond varieties, scientific evidence confirms that bee activity significantly improves nut set, yield, and quality.¹ Almond bloom also strengthens honey bee colonies by providing highly nutritious pollen and nectar at a critical time early in the season.² 

The Science Behind Pollination

At the 2025 Almond Conference’s Honey Bees and Pollination session, researchers, beekeepers, and industry leaders came together to reinforce a clear message: almonds and pollinators thrive best when Farmers, beekeepers and scientists work collaboratively, and when decisions are guided by sound science.  

One key update was on stocking rates – the number of bee hives needed for effective pollination in almond orchards. Averaging around $200 per hive, pollination services are a significant input for farmers and among their top annual costs. Historically traditional variety orchards use a stocking rate of 2 hives per acre.  

Research presented by Elina Niño, UC Davis Apiculture Extension Specialist in apiculture, highlighted findings from multi-year search trial which confirmed the importance of bee hives in both traditional and self-compatible variety almond orchards.³ The research found that self-compatible orchards (where the trees blossoms can be fertilized by pollen of the same variety) still benefit from the presence of bees with a recommendation of 0.5 to 1 hive per acre, depending on local conditions. The current recommendation of 2 hives per acre continues for orchards consisting of non-compatible varieties. Overall, the research continues to demonstrate that adequate hive density delivers measurable economic returns.   

Another presenter at The Almond Conference’s pollinator session, Matt Beekman of California Apiaries, provided an important update on commercial beekeeping conditions going into bloom 2026.⁴  

Between April 2024 and April 2025, honey bee colony losses exceeded historical norms. Over the past 14 years, annual colony losses have averaged approximately 40% nationwide. During the most recent reporting period, losses increased to roughly 55%, with overwintering losses nearing 45% compared to a typical 30 percent. While some beekeepers experienced relatively low losses, others reported losses as high as 95%, highlighting substantial variability across operations and regions. ⁵ 

Many beekeepers entered last year’s almond bloom with colonies that were already weaker than normal following winter. Unlike in typical years, when almond pollination helps colonies build strength, many hives failed to rebound during bloom. Losses before, during, and after pollination were significantly higher than expected, raising concerns about pollination reliability and prompting further investigation.  

What Researchers Found and Why It Matters to Farmers 

Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) identified a key factor contributing to these abnormal losses. Bees sampled from collapsed colonies showed elevated levels of several viruses, all of which are transmitted by Varroa destructor mites, the single most damaging pest of honey bees.⁶ 

Researchers also found widespread resistance to amitraz, a miticide that had been one of the primary tools beekeepers relied on for Varroa control over the past 10 to 15 years. With this product no longer performing effectively, mite populations were able to increase, along with the viruses they transmit, accelerating colony decline.  

For almond farmers, these findings help explain why hive strength and availability were under strain during the 2025 season and underscore the importance of a resilient, well-supported beekeeping industry to maintain consistent pollination services. From a production perspective, it appears that the 2025 crop size wasn’t negatively impacted. 

Partnering for Long-Term Solutions  

Varroa mites harm bees both by feeding on their fat bodies and by spreading viruses that can rapidly undermine colony health if mite levels are not kept below critical thresholds. Addressing Varroa remains a top priority for the almond industry. Past Almond Board–funded research has supported both chemical and non-chemical control strategies, including cold storage methods, and current efforts are expanding to explore additional approaches, such as reducing bees’ susceptibility to disease.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently registered several new products for Varroa control. However, as almond Farmers understand from their own pest management experience, it takes time and careful evaluation to determine how new tools can be used most effectively and sustainably in real-world conditions.  

A Shared Commitment

Commercial beekeepers and the almond industry continue to invest in colony health to ensure there are enough strong hives to meet almond pollination needs, helping also support the many other crops in the U.S. food system that depend on pollination services.  

For almond farmers, this reality reinforces the importance of continued investment in research, stewardship, and collaboration that strengthens pollinator health and stabilizes pollination services over time. On the part of the Almond Board, we continue to ensure farmers have the most up-to-date information, protecting bee health and farm productivity during the important bloom timeframe.  

As research advances and partnerships deepen, one truth remains clear, supporting pollinator health is inseparable from supporting the long-term success of California almond farmers.