California’s orchards provide 80% of the world’s almond supply. As almond acreage increases to 760,000 acres, more than half the country’s honeybees are being brought to the state at the end of February to pollinate the crop. In total the almond orchards need 500,000 hives from in-state and 1.5 million hives from out-of-state. After colony collapse disorder took a higher toll than usual on bee populations this winter, almond growers, beekeepers and bee brokers agree that there is a shortage of healthy honeybees this year. Growers are scrambling for bees and rental prices have risen to $200 per hive. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) since it was recognized in 2006, colony collapse disorder has destroyed bee colonies at a rate of almost 30% per year. This year the die-off has been as high as 40%-50% for some beekeepers. Drought and loss of forage have also played a part in the losses.