Why can pollination services be more valuable than honey production?

In the context of beekeeping, pollination services are significantly more valuable than honey production because they are essential to the success of modern industrial agriculture. While honey is a valuable product, the average bee colony is estimated to be worth 20 to 40 times more for its role in pollinating crops than for the honey it produces.1

This disparity exists because approximately 90 commercially grown crops in the United States—including almonds, apples, blueberries, and cucumbers—rely on honeybees for efficient reproduction and yield. Without these services, the scale and cost of producing these fruits, nuts, and vegetables would be drastically affected, leading to reduced availability and higher prices for consumers.123

The economic impact is substantial; for instance, pollination services in the United States contribute over $15 billion to the economy annually, with specific industries like California's almond production relying almost exclusively on the billions of bees brought in for the flowering season.34