Almond mathematics

Californian almond pollination for 2007 is already causing concern. About 60% of honeybees that are transportable in the United States will go to California for almond pollination claimed Dan Cummings of The Almond Board. One million colonies are needed for 2007, but two million are predicted to be needed by 2012. And guess what .. pollination prices are soaring -- up 50% each year over the past two years and now around $140 per colony.

As if that isn't enough, the transport of bee colonies causes other concerns: import of red ants into California, and small hive beetle to name but two.