According to the latest data from the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Honey Board announced last week that honey consumption continues to rise with an average of nearly one pound of honey being consumed per person.

That number is up from 0.5 pounds consumed per person in 1990.

“It is exciting to see more Americans continuing to add honey to their daily diet,” says Margaret Lombard, chief executive officer of the National Honey Board.  “While our industry continues to struggle with hive loss, we have been successful in reaching consumers with our message that honey is a pure natural sweetener which clearly appeals to consumers at a time when they are searching for authentic foods.  In addition, when consumers purchase honey, they are not only helping to support the beekeeper, but they are also contributing to the welfare and survival of the honey bees.”

The USDA report found that consumption of all caloric sweeteners has been falling for the last 15 years while per capita consumption of honey has been increasing over the same time period. Domestic net production of honey was once at an annual average of 167.9 million pounds in the early 1990s but has now fallen to an average of 106.7 million pounds over the last seven years