Beehive Theft Peaked in 2023
Californian farmers and beekeepers reported a record number of beehive thefts in 2023, with losses amounting to millions of dollars.
California’s agricultural sector experienced a record high in beehive thefts during 2023, with over 2,300 hives reported stolen. This marks the highest number of thefts recorded in a single year, significantly impacting the commercial beekeeping industry and causing estimated financial losses of $5.6 million.
Over the past decade, the commercial beekeeping industry has seen an 86 percent increase in hive thefts. Approximately 10,000 beehives, valued at an estimated $3.5 million, have been stolen during this period.
The thefts have direct implications for California's almond industry, the largest in the world, which relies on approximately 2.4 million bee colonies for pollination. Over 1.5 million of these colonies are trucked into the state annually, highlighting the critical need for bee availability.
Law enforcement and industry organizations, including the California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force and the Almond Board of California, are collaborating to combat these thefts. Efforts are underway to prevent future incidents and support beekeepers, whose income from almond pollination is essential for maintaining bee health and operations throughout the year.