Market Updates
As spring approaches across much of the Prairies, the new crop season is close at hand. Hopes are high that we will see improved overwintering numbers this year compared to last year’s 46% colony losses. Our Spruce Grove location is expecting its first packages this month, the earliest we have ever accepted bees, which signals an early and optimistic start to the season.
This season also marks a new chapter for Bee Maid as Paul Remillard officially joined the organization as Chief Executive Officer on February 2. Paul brings more than 25 years of manufacturing and operational leadership experience and is already working closely with the team to support the cooperative’s producer-members and continue building on Bee Maid’s strong reputation for quality Canadian honey. Paul looks forward to connecting with members and helping guide Bee Maid through the opportunities and challenges ahead in the honey market.
Over the last few weeks, interest from our U.S. customers has picked up. There is significant interest in moving honey south ahead of the June 2026 review of CUSMA. Following the Supreme Court ruling in opposition of the additional tariffs levied against much of the world, brokers and packers are looking to bring in honey prior to any potential changes from the current administration.
Overall pricing has not moved significantly since our last report. We are still seeing honey move on the open market between $1.90 and $2.10 per pound across Canada and the U.S., with slightly higher demand for Japan-friendly honey.
Demand for Canadian honey remains strong. According to Nielsen data, Bee Maid continues to show growth across all channels and sectors in grocery stores across Canada. We are also seeing strong growth in our food service channels, once again outpacing the overall growth of the category this year.
As we head into the season, we are all hoping for a strong start and that the late winter storms provide much-needed moisture for early wildflower blooms to support our bees.
Please remember to book your empty vessel deliveries so they arrive at your operations before July. This will help ensure we have adequate space ready for your incoming honey. Open Dock is now available and ready to begin booking time slots.
Bee Maid Honey Limited Welcomes Paul Remillard as new Chief Executive Officer.
Member Photo Contest
As beekeepers, our members have a front-row seat to nature’s wonders every day — from the hum of the hive to the blooms their bees visit. We’re always amazed by the incredible photos you share, and now it’s your turn to showcase your best shots for a chance to win. From your bees and hives to the landscapes they call home, we want to see what inspired you out in the field!
How to Enter: Send your photo with your name and apiary location to sstarodub@beemaid.com between April 1 and July 30, 2026. Photos must be in JPEG or PNG format.
Prize: The Winner will receive a Bee Supplies gift card valued at $250, and all entries will have the opportunity to be featured on our Bee Maid and Bee Supplies social media pages.
Grab your camera and share your view of the hive!
2026 Holiday Closures
OBSERVANCES
DATES CLOSED
Good Friday Fri, April 3, 2026
Victoria Day Mon, May 18, 2026
Canada Day Wed, July 1, 2026
Inventory Count
Civic Holiday Mon, August 3, 2026
Labour Day Mon, September 7, 2026 Fri, July 31, 2026
The Members Online Portal is your source for all information regarding your membership at the Cooperative.
The Portal experience allows for anytime, anywhere access to valuable information such various membership forms, payment information, newsletters, as well as your account statements.
Visit the Members Online Portal regularly to be sure that you are getting the most out of your membership experience at http://portal.beemaid.com.
If you have not yet claimed your Online Portal account, or if you have any other questions, please email all inquiries to portal@beemaid.com and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Reminder: Pick Up Your Empty Containers Before the 2026 Intake Season
Prepare for the 2026 Intake Season
As the 2026 intake season approaches, we would like to remind all members to pick up their empty containers prior to the start of the season. This is an important step to ensure that everyone is prepared and ready to go when the busy period begins.
Schedule Your Pickup with Ease
Arranging to pick up your empty containers is now easier than ever. Members can simply book their appointments through the OpenDock portal. This convenient online system allows you to select a time that works best for you, ensuring a smooth and efficient pickup process.
Benefits to the Co-op & Members
• Free Up Valuable Warehouse Space:
By collecting your empty containers before the intake season, you help us maximize available warehouse space for new arrivals and operational efficiency.
• Avoid Last-Minute Delays:
Having your containers in advance means you’re fully prepared and won’t experience any delays when you need them most.
• Stay Organized and Ready:
Stay Organized and Ready: Picking up your containers ahead of time allows you to plan and organize your operations, giving you peace of mind.
We encourage all members to take advantage of the OpenDock portal and schedule your container pickup now. By doing so, you support the coop’s efficiency and ensure your own readiness for the 2026 intake season. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to making our Co-op run smoothly!
Standardized Procedures for Bee Maid Silver Barrel Tare Weights
New standardized procedures are being implemented across both co - ops to ensure consistency and fairness when determining the tare weight of Bee Maid silver barrels.
Under this policy, the use of member home scale measurements is no longer permitted when establishing tare weights. This change helps ensure that tare weight assessments are applied consistently for all members.
Sampling of Barrels
Bee Maid will be conducting a sampling of silver barrels from each co-op to validate current tare weight assumptions. The results will be shared with the Board of Directors, and members will be kept informed of any updates or changes that may result from this work.
More Information
If you have any questions about these changes, please contact Derrick Johnston (djohnston@beemaid.com) or Karen Miles (kmiles@beemaid.com) for assistance.
Bee Maid Showcases Supply Chain
Excellence to Manitoba’s Food Processors
Bee Maid Honey was proudly represented in February when Corporate Supply Chain Manager Tracy Minarz presented to local small to mid-sized companies on behalf of Manitoba Agriculture. The session highlighted how Bee Maid has transformed its supply chain into a strategic advantage.
Tracy shared how Bee Maid’s approach to integrated planning, inventory discipline, supplier partnerships, and digital tools has strengthened reliability, reduced day-to-day disruptions, and elevated customer confidence. Attendees were given a look at how Bee Maid’s continuous improvement mindset has contributed to the company’s reputation for food safety excellence, operational resilience, and on time delivery.
Tracy’s involvement in the event came through her membership with Supply Chain Canada, where she holds the SCMP designation. She highlighted Bee Maid as a success story, showcasing how the co-operative has grown by investing in its people, processes, and technology. Her presentation resonated with Manitoba’s food processors, demonstrating how disciplined supply chain practices help businesses navigate disruptions, scale sustainably, and stay competitive. The session positioned Bee Maid not just as a honey producer, but as a leader in valuedriven supply chain management.
Bee Maid Honey Scholarship & Research Fund Recipients
The 50th Anniversary Scholarship was established to commemorate the formation of Bee Maid Honey Limited in 1954.
This scholarship recognizes the children and grandchildren of Bee Maid members and staff as they pursue post-secondary education. It is designed to inspire academic excellence while fostering fresh ideas and perspectives within the Bee Maid family.
Bee Maid Honey Limited is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 50th Anniversary Scholarships:
Abigail Thiessen from Mitchell, Manitoba, who is enrolled at YMAM Lausanne in July 2026, with plans to attend RRC Nursing in 2027.
Ashlyn Boland from Spruce Grove, Alberta, who will be graduating with degrees in Environmental and Conservation Studies, and Native Studies from the University of Alberta.
We congratulate both Abigail and Ashlyn and wish them every success in their studies.
In addition to our scholarships, the Bee Maid Honey Research
Fund was established to support research in apiculture, hive health, and honey production. Following a call for proposals, the Research Committee received four highquality applications. After careful consideration, we are pleased to announce the project selected for funding:
Measuring Impacts of an Improved Formulation of a Novel Miticide Against Varroa Mites led by Dr. Stephen Pernall and Dr. Erika Plettner.
We look forward to the insights this research will provide for the beekeeping community.
RELEVANT MEMBER INFO
From Clutter to Clarity: How Bee Maid's Lean Level II Project Transformed Winnipeg Workspaces
What started as sticky floors, misplaced tools, and crowded workspaces turned into a full 5S transformation led by the Sticky Bandits (Jasper Monserrate, Krysten Kohmer, Richard Limbo).
For their Lean Level II project, the team examined processing and asked the question: how can we make this space safer, cleaner, and easier to work in every day?
They sorted clutter, organized equipment with labeled homes and floor markings, and positioned materials closer to where they’re typically used.
The team also built new holders, organized charging stations, and updated visual boards. Now, everything has a place and is easy to find. The result is a 30 percent increase in usable workspace, smoother workflow, reduced motion and waiting, and a safer, more organized environment. A few final items are still in progress, but ownership and routine audits are in place to ensure improvements stick. Kudos to the Sticky Bandits for turning everyday frustration into efficient updates.
This Month's Featured Recipe:
High Protein Honey Banana Pudding
• 1-2 Large Bananas (sliced)
• 2 1/2 Tbsp BeeMaid Honey
• 2 Tbsp Vanilla or Banana Pudding Mix
• 1 Cup Banana Greek Yogurt
• 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1/2 Cup Milk
• 1 Package Vanilla Wafer Cookies
• Topping: Whipped Cream
2026/2027 Annual Member Survey
Please be sure to complete the Annual Member Survey for the 2026/27 crop year as soon as possible by clicking the link below. The survey is also available on the Member Online Portal.
If you require a hard copy of the survey, please contact Tracie Thompson at tthompson@beemaid.com or by phone at 1-204-783-2240 *221.
Access the survey link here.
March Interim Payment - 2026
The third payment on the 2025/26 crop is 20 cents per pound for both Pool A and Pool B for all colour classes. Payment credited to Members' accounts: March 16, 2026. In keeping with the Board's commitment to a regular payment schedule, a fourth payment is anticipated in June at an estimated rate of 15-20 cents per pound. This payment remains subject to Board approval at the June Meetings.
Members who have not delivered the minimum requirement of 5,000 pounds of honey this year and wish to retain their membership with the Co-op should email a request to the Board no later than May 31, 2026. Please send your email to miles@beemaid.com
March Interim Payment - 2026
The second interim payment on the 2025-26 crop is 23 cents per pound for Pool A and Pool B White Honey. This payment will be credited to Members' accounts on March 16, 2026.
In keeping with the Board's commitment to a regular payment schedule, a fourth payment is anticipated in June at an estimated rate of 20-25 cents per pound. This payment remains subject to Board approval at the June Meetings.
CFIA License / True Source Certificate
Please forward a copy of your CFIA License and True Source Certificate to Dori Boland at dboland@beemaid.com.
Letter of Guarantee / Risk Residue / APP Forms
The Letter of Guarantee and Risk Residue Survey will be mailed to Members in April for the 2026-2027 crop year along with the APP Forms. Please fill out these forms and return ASAP to Dori Boland, dboland@beemaid.com.
These forms will also be available on the member portal.
Note: These forms must be submitted prior to delivering honey to the Co-op.
Reinstatements
Members who have not delivered 5,000 pounds of honey this year should send a letter to The Board requesting reinstatemetn if you have not already done so. Please send your letters to Dori Boland, dboland@beemaid.com
Beaverlodge Beekeepers Field Day
Save The Date! The Beaverlodge Beekeepers Field Day will be held on Friday June 26, 2026. Stay tuned for more information about the field day event.