Determining Hive Rental Prices

What is a fair rental price for almonds?
In short, a fair price is determined by your operating costs. As simple as this...However, the operating costs will vary from place to place, from one beekeeper to another, but it all comes down to simple math. First, figure out your average maintenance cost per colony then add a reasonable margin on top (20%-35% ) and you get a pretty fair estimate of what a rental price is or at least should be.

The average annual hive maintenance cost averages somewhere between $100 to $160. Again, it can vary from place to place. The maintenance expenses for a beekeeper in California would be VERY different from a beekeeper, let's say, in Minnesota.

Beekeepers' supplemental feeding bills skyrocketed in recent years, because almond growers constantly demand stronger, more populous colonies. Honey production costs also vary dramatically from year to year. Queen replacement costs, which are required every year, are ridiculously HIGH. This year I was buying queens at $20/queen, compared with $7 I spent just last year. You don't have a choice!! In order to have most efficient hives in terms of honey production and top dollar for potential contracts you must buy queens unless you grow them yourself.