Harvest operations are in full swing at a family-owned honey farm in central Alberta, with concerns looming over this year’s crop due to uncertainties surrounding a trade agreement with the United States.

Lorne Prins, the owner of Gull Lake Honey, situated about 130 kilometers south of Edmonton, expressed frustration over the situation. The farm, housing close to 3,000 hives across approximately 90 sites in Alberta, faces 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, previously exempt under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), has caught industry stakeholders off guard. This threat, combined with the challenges posed by a wet summer affecting honey production levels, has heightened concerns for producers like Prins.

Rod Scarlett, the Canadian Honey Council’s executive director, conveyed surprise at the inclusion of honey in the list of goods facing potential tariffs. Alberta, as Canada’s largest honey producer, contributes significantly to the national industry, generating over $241 million in revenues in 2025.

Despite Prins primarily selling locally, he anticipates adverse effects from the tariffs, expecting a considerable drop in domestic prices if the top international market is lost. Canadian beekeepers usually send around 70% of their honey exports to the United States, prompting a surge in shipments in recent weeks to beat the tariff deadline.

Barbara McKenzie, representing the Alberta Beekeepers Commission, emphasized the catastrophic impact of losing access to the U.S. market on Canadian producers. The potential collapse of honey exports could have far-reaching consequences beyond the honey industry, affecting pollination and various food crops.

As the deadline approaches, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has engaged with industry groups to address potential impacts. Existing federal programs like AgriInvest and AgriStability are available to cushion losses, with AgriInvest covering minor income dips and AgriStability handling larger losses, albeit with penalties for late applications.

Trade negotiations are ongoing, with Canada intensively engaging with the U.S. to resolve outstanding trade issues. Amid uncertainties, local producers like Jeremy Olthof from Tees Bees are left hoping for a favorable resolution before time runs out, underlining the industry’s reliance on a stable trade environment for its sustainability.