Harvest activities are currently underway at a family-operated honey farm in central Alberta, but concerns loom 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. The farm spans nearly 90 locations within Canada’s primary honey-producing province, housing close to 3,000 hives.
The upcoming deadline of August 19 has left thousands of local producers, including Prins, apprehensive about the potential impact. A proposed 50% tariff on honey by the U.S. could potentially disrupt their primary export market. The unexpected threat of tariffs on Canadian goods, including honey, was announced by the U.S. administration in July, citing concerns about unfair trade practices. This move caught industry stakeholders off guard as Canadian honey was previously exempt from tariffs under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
The wet weather during the summer had already raised concerns about honey production levels for the year, according to Prins. The added worry of facing U.S. tariffs could further exacerbate the challenges for honey producers. Rod Scarlett, the executive director of the Canadian Honey Council, expressed surprise at the inclusion of honey among the goods facing potential tariffs. The honey industry nationally generated over $241 million in revenue in 2025, with Alberta being Canada’s leading honey producer.
Although Prins primarily sells locally, he anticipates adverse effects from the new tariffs, foreseeing a significant drop in domestic honey prices if Canadian exporters lose their major overseas buyer. Canadian beekeepers typically export around 70% of their honey to the U.S., leading to a rush in shipments over the past few weeks as producers hurried to send their products south before the tariffs take effect.
Barbara McKenzie, the executive director of the Alberta Beekeepers Commission, highlighted the catastrophic impact of losing access to the U.S. market on Canadian producers. The potential collapse of exports could have far-reaching consequences beyond the honey industry, affecting pollination activities for canola, fruit, and vegetable crops. The ticking clock on the trade agreement deadline has left local producers like Jeremy Olthof of Tees Bees anxious, hoping for a resolution before the situation worsens.
Amidst the uncertainty, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has engaged with industry groups to discuss potential impacts. While existing federal programs like AgriInvest and AgriStability aim to mitigate losses, the deadline for enrolling in AgriStability has passed this year. Producers are left waiting and hoping for a timely resolution to avoid the adverse effects of the looming tariffs on the honey industry.