Beekeeping Startup Calculator

Beehive honey yield and profitability calculation estimates how much honey a hive produces per season, the revenue from honey sales, and whether beekeeping covers its costs — or generates meaningful profit.

Annual honey yield formula: Annual Yield (lbs) = Hives × Average Yield per Hive per Year

Average hive yields by region:

• Beginner hive, first year: 20–30 lbs (bees build comb and colony; minimal surplus)
• Established hive, good forage: 40–80 lbs/year
• Excellent forage area (orchard region, clover fields): 80–150 lbs/year
• Commercial apiaries (optimized management): 100–200+ lbs/hive

Revenue formula: Annual Revenue = Total Yield (lbs) × Honey Price per lb

Honey prices (US, 2024):

• Raw local honey (direct sales, farmers markets): $12–$18/lb
• Online store: $8–$14/lb
• Wholesale to retailers: $3–$6/lb
• Commercial/commodity honey: $2–$3/lb

All dollar figures here are 2024 US ranges and vary by region, supplier, and year. The calculator uses the per-hive and gear costs and the honey price you enter, so plug in your own numbers for an accurate estimate.

Profitability formula: Net Profit = Revenue − (Equipment Costs ÷ Years + Annual Operating Costs)

Startup costs (one hive, US, 2024):

• Hive (Langstroth, assembled): $200–$350
• Bees (3-lb package + queen): $130–$180
• Protective gear (suit, gloves, veil): $80–$200
• Hive tool, smoker, feeder: $60–$100
• Total startup: $470–$830 per hive

Annual operating costs (per hive):

• Mite treatments (Varroa): $30–$60/year
• Supplemental feeding (sugar, pollen substitute): $20–$50/year
• Replacement equipment: $20–$50/year
• Total annual OpEx: $70–$160/year

What each variable means:

• Varroa mite — the primary parasite threatening modern beehives; untreated colonies typically collapse within 2–3 years
• Forage radius — bees forage up to 3 miles from the hive; urban and suburban settings can have surprisingly good forage (flowers, garden plants)
• Winter loss factor — average US colony winter loss rate: 30–40%; budget for replacing 1–2 hives per 5 annually

Worked example: 2 established hives, moderate forage, 60 lbs/hive/year. Selling at farmers market: $15/lb.

Annual yield = 2 × 60 = 120 lbs Annual revenue = 120 × $15 = $1,800 Equipment amortized ($700/hive ÷ 10 years) = $140/year Annual OpEx = 2 × $115 = $230 Total annual cost = $140 + $230 = $370 Net profit = $1,800 − $370 = $1,430/year for 2 hives

Not a full income — but a genuine supplemental revenue stream and an endlessly fascinating hobby.