Roadside markets offer both advantages and disadvantages to honey retailers. A 1937 survey of roadside market honey sales and prices was repeated at 5 year intervals for the 15 year period 1982-1997 in the 3 counties of Delaware. Ill the 1937 survey, 72% of the markets open in October sold honey, while the number of markets selling honey were between 60-64% in 1982, 1987 and 1997 and a very similar 70% in the 1992 survey. Sale of honey in the comb as comb honey decreased over the survey period, chunk honey product offerings remained the same, while cut comb honey increased as an offering. The price of extracted honey (19-25c irt 1937) increased 54% from a median of $1.61 in 1982 to $3.00 in 1997 at roadside stands. Sale of honey irt the comb rose at a larger rate (88% for chunk honey, 84% for cut comb honey) in the same period. Comparisons of honey prices, variety and quality of honey for sale at roadside markets with competing markets (supermarkets, convenience stores and neighborhood markets) showed a greater price hike for honey at roadside, a higher price compared to supermarkets (but not to convenience or neighborhood stores) and a similar variety/size of container selection (only compared to supermarkets). There was a higher retail price for local honey, when offered alongside a regional honey brand at roadside markets.
