Beekeeping has not been spared from the impact of climate change. Exceptionally high temperatures and prolonged droughts during the summer have left many beekeeping communities without honey production. Beekeepers are calling this season one of the most difficult in the last 20 years.
Unfavorable weather conditions during the spring, followed by a significant number of extremely high temperatures and long drought periods, have left hives empty this season.
Due to early vegetation in some areas, honey production was completely absent, said Damir Barašin, president of the Union of Beekeepers’ Associations of Srpska, in a radio interview.
“Such weather conditions also create problems for bees, which cannot be as active as they would be under normal conditions. The biggest issue is high temperatures and wind, which prevent plants from secreting nectar, leaving bees with a shortage of food,” Barašin explained.
A poor beekeeping season could also drive up honey prices. Instead of the current 25 BAM per kilogram, the price is expected to rise to 30 BAM, according to Obrad Ninković from the Trebinje Beekeepers’ Association “Leotar.”
“The price per kilogram of honey has been 25 BAM this and last year. Some beekeepers are already raising prices to 30 BAM,” Ninković said during the Radio Srpska broadcast.
To help beekeepers overcome the difficult season and preserve their bee colonies, the relevant ministry will provide assistance through direct subsidies and capital investments, stated Milan Puzigaća, head of the Livestock Department.
“Our goal is to integrate as many beekeepers as possible into the support system. This year, the Ministry will allocate around two million BAM for capital investments and other planned measures,” Puzigaća added.
The challenging summer season will also complicate the bees’ overwintering process, so experts are advising beekeepers to pay special attention to their colonies in the coming months.
Source: RTRS
