Harvest activities are currently underway at a family-operated honey farm in central Alberta. However, there is a sense of uncertainty looming over this year’s honey production due to an impending trade agreement deadline with the United States. Lorne Prins, the owner of Gull Lake Honey situated approximately 130 kilometers south of Edmonton, expressed frustration over the situation. With nearly 3,000 hives spread across around 90 locations in Alberta, Prins and other local producers are concerned about the potential impact of a proposed 50% tariff on honey exports to the U.S.
The U.S. administration’s unexpected threat of imposing tariffs on Canadian honey in July caught industry stakeholders off guard. This move, citing unfair trade practices, could significantly affect the Canadian honey market, which was previously exempt from tariffs under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The wet weather this summer had already raised worries about honey production levels, adding to the stress of potential tariffs on Canadian honey exports.
Rod Scarlett, the Executive Director of the Canadian Honey Council, expressed surprise over the inclusion of honey in the list of goods facing potential tariffs. Alberta, being the largest honey producer in Canada, is especially vulnerable to the impact of these tariffs, with the prairies contributing to a significant portion of the national honey production.
Although Prins primarily sells honey locally, he anticipates a negative impact on domestic prices if Canadian honey exporters lose their major international market. Canadian beekeepers typically export about 70% of their honey to the U.S., prompting a rush to move shipments before the tariff deadline. Jeremy Olthof of Tees Bees, located south of Edmonton, highlighted the additional stress caused by the tariff threat in a year already disrupted by wet weather conditions.
Barbara McKenzie, the Executive Director of the Alberta Beekeepers Commission, warned that losing access to the U.S. market could have catastrophic effects on Canadian honey producers. The potential collapse of honey exports would not only impact the honey industry but also have ripple effects on pollination and other agricultural sectors, such as canola, fruits, and vegetables.
As the deadline for a trade deal approaches, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has been in discussions with industry groups to address potential impacts. Existing federal programs like AgriInvest and AgriStability are available to provide support to producers facing losses. However, if a deal is not reached, local producers like Olthof can only wait and hope for a resolution before the clock runs out on the trade agreement negotiations.