How Much Should You Charge for Your Honey?
Use our free honey pricing calculator to get instant recommendations based on your location, honey type, jar size, and sales channel — built from real USDA data and regional market reports.
The baseline. A blend of whatever is blooming locally. Most common type sold by hobbyists.
Average Retail Price of Honey in 2025
The USDA National Honey Report puts the 2025 national average retail price at about $7.60 per pound — but that figure blends cheap grocery-store honey with premium local raw honey, so it undersells what small-batch honey actually fetches. Here is what honey really sells for by type, jar size, and region. If you are a beekeeper deciding what to charge, run your own numbers through the honey pricing calculator above.
What honey sells for by type
| Type | Per lb | 1 lb jar | 8 oz jar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery / commodityMass-market, often blended or imported. | $5–8 | $5–8 | $3–5 |
| Local raw (farmers market)Small-batch, local, raw and unfiltered. | $12–15 | $12–15 | $8–10 |
| Specialty single-sourceTupelo, Sourwood, Sage, Fireweed and other rare varietals. | $18–25 | $18–25 | $12–16 |
Average price of local raw honey per pound by region
| Region | Typical price / lb | vs national avg |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $16.25 | +25% |
| Pacific | $15.34 | +18% |
| Mountain West | $14.30 | +10% |
| Southeast | $13.65 | +5% |
| Midwest | $13.00 | 0% |
| South | $11.96 | -8% |
Regional figures apply our regional pricing index to a $13.00/lb local raw benchmark. Actual prices vary by variety, jar size, and sales channel — the calculator above accounts for all four.
Pricing Tips for Beekeepers
Charm pricing works
A jar at $9.95 sells better than a jar at $10.00, but the difference is small enough that you should not sweat the nickel. What matters more is staying out of the "cheap honey" bracket. Pricing under $8 per pound at a farmers market actually hurts perceived quality.
Presentation drives price
A clean label, a custom shape jar, and a printed origin story can add 30-50% to what people will pay. Hexagon jars and muth jars consistently outprice round jars of the same volume. Hand-tied raffia and a small hang tag are cheap upgrades that move the needle.
When to discount
Volume bundles only. Three jars for the price of two and a half is a fine offer. Never discount a single jar below your published price - it teaches buyers to wait you out. End-of-season clearance is the one exception.
When to charge more
Single-source varietals, raw and unfiltered, certified organic, and any honey with a verifiable story (your bees, your farm, your blooms) all justify a premium. Buyers at farmers markets are not price shopping - they are buying a relationship.
Why Local Honey Commands a Premium
Health perception
Local raw honey is widely (if unscientifically) believed to help with seasonal allergies. That belief alone supports a 30-50% premium.
Freshness
Local honey is often harvested within months, not years. Compared to grocery store honey shipped in barrels from overseas, the freshness difference is real.
Supports local
Buyers at farmers markets are explicitly there to support neighbors. That motivation is worth real money - do not undercut it by pricing like a commodity.
Traceability
You can name the field, the bloom, and the date. No grocery store honey can match that, and informed buyers will pay for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I price my honey by jar or by weight?
Price by jar at the point of sale, but always know your per-pound number behind the scenes. Customers buy jars, not pounds, but tracking per-pound helps you make sure smaller jars are paying their packaging costs. A 4 oz jar should command roughly 1.6 times the per-ounce price of a 1 lb jar because the glass, label, and lid cost almost the same.
How often should I update my honey prices?
Review your prices once a year, ideally at the start of your selling season. Check the USDA National Honey Report and Bee Culture monthly price reports to see how the market is moving. Most beekeepers underprice and leave money on the table by holding old prices for years.
Is it OK to charge more than other beekeepers at my farmers market?
Yes, as long as you can justify it with quality, story, or presentation. Beekeepers who charge a premium and explain why (raw, unfiltered, single-source, small-batch) usually outsell the cheap booth. Racing to the bottom on price hurts every beekeeper at the market.
What about creamed honey and infused honey pricing?
Creamed honey usually commands a 30-40% premium over the same variety in liquid form because of the extra processing time and the perceived gourmet positioning. Infused honey (hot pepper, cinnamon, lavender) often sells for double the base price because buyers see it as a specialty food product, not a pantry staple.
How does the USDA average compare to what I should actually charge?
The USDA national average retail price was around $7.60 per pound in 2025, but that number is dragged down by mass-market grocery store honey. Small-scale beekeepers selling local raw honey at farmers markets routinely charge $12-15 per pound, and specialty varietals like Tupelo or Sourwood can fetch $20-25 per pound.
What is the average price of honey per pound?
The USDA National Honey Report put the 2025 national average retail price at about $7.60 per pound, but that figure blends cheap mass-market grocery honey with premium local honey. Local raw honey from small-scale beekeepers typically sells for $12-15 per pound, and rare single-source varietals like Tupelo, Sourwood, or Sage can reach $18-25 per pound.
How much does a 16 oz (1 lb) jar of honey cost?
At the grocery store, a 16 oz jar of standard honey runs about $5-8. Local raw honey from a farmers market or beekeeper typically costs $12-16 for the same 1 lb jar, and specialty single-source varietals can run $18-25. Prices also vary by region: the Northeast and Pacific run highest, while the South is lowest.
How much can you sell honey for?
Local raw honey typically sells for $12-15 per pound at farmers markets, or about $12-16 for a 1 lb jar. Specialty single-source varietals like Tupelo, Sourwood, or Sage command $18-25 per pound. Your best price depends on your state, honey variety, and sales channel - the calculator above gives you a tailored range.
How much is a pound of honey worth?
To a small-scale beekeeper selling direct, a pound of local raw honey is worth about $12-15 at a farmers market, and more for premium varietals. That is well above the roughly $7.60 per pound USDA retail average, which is dragged down by mass-market grocery honey.
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