Honey production has been reduced up to 30% in Cyprus due to weather conditions, while the challenges facing producers include unfair competition from imported honey, Senior Agriculture Officer Lysandros Lysandrides has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
Lysandrides said that the pressure on bee populations – which play a key role in maintaining biodiversity, environmental balance and agricultural production – is a global and multifactorial phenomenon. He also noted that bees engage in the pollination of 75% of the planet’s plants and in 80-90% of the production of many fruit and arable crops, making their presence critical, especially in countries such as Cyprus that are strongly affected by the consequences of climate change.
The main causes of the decline, he said, are climate change, the loss of habitats due to urbanisation and fires, but also the irrational use of pesticides. Typical examples include countries such as Bulgaria, where, as he said, it is estimated that up to 90% of colonies have been lost, as well as the United States, which is expected to record losses of around 70%.
In Cyprus, beekeeping loss does not reach similar levels, mainly due to the experience of beekeepers in dry and hot conditions, but also due to the costly efforts they make to replace the losses, he added. Nevertheless, the consequences for production are significant, as in years with adverse weather conditions the average honey production per hive decreases by at least 30%, he pointed out.
According to Lysandrides, increased temperatures, prolonged drought, fires and urbanization are leading to a dramatic shrinkage of wild vegetation, limiting the available pollen and nectar. At the same time, he said, changes are being observed in the biological cycle of bees, which weaken their immune system and make them more vulnerable to pathogens and enemies, such as wasps and bee-eaters, whose activity has increased in recent years.
Recognising these impacts, the state is implementing a series of national and community support measures, such as the Beekeeping Programme, actions of the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 for biodiversity, organic beekeeping and bee swarm management, as well as subsidies for the cost of moving hives.
However, the most important problem of the sector remains, the unfair competition from imported honey, Lysandrides told CNA. For example, the import price of honey from China to the EU is around pound 1.39 per kilo, while Cypriot honey is sold at retail for around pound 10 per kilo. Despite the increase in production costs, Cypriot beekeepers have not made corresponding price increases, which calls into question the viability of the profession, he added.
Despite the difficulties, data regarding Cyprus’ self-sufficiency in honey, which amounts to 45%, as well as the high percentage of young people under 40 years of age who are active in the sector, create conditions for moderate optimism, Lysandrides pointed out. Highlighting the qualitative superiority of Cypriot honey and informing consumers about honey adulteration in significant portion of imports are crucial factors for the support and sustainability of beekeeping in Cyprus, he concluded.
Meanwhile, the PLANBEE (Promoting Local Apiary Networks and Bee Entrepreneurial Excellence) project has officially kicked off, setting in motion a bold Mediterranean collaboration to strengthen the Bee Economy as a driver for rural development, entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said in a press release on Friday.
Co-funded 89% by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, PLANBEE has a total budget of EUR 2,807,656, with an EU contribution of EUR 2,498,813.84. The project, coordinated by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brings together seven partners from Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine, working jointly to upscale beekeeping skills, differentiate bee products, expand Apitourism and influence future rural development policies.
”Through hands-on training, coaching and innovative learning tools – including mixed-reality simulations – the project will upskill more than 120 aspiring and existing bee entrepreneurs. Training activities cover sustainable and organic beekeeping, entrepreneurial skills for bee businesses, and creative use of honey in gastronomy, engaging not only beekeepers but also HORECA professionals and young people, particularly women,” the press release added.
”The project will establish one transnational and six regional Bee Economy clusters, supporting cooperation, innovation and shared visibility. A flagship action is the MED Queen Bee brand, which will award and promote 60 outstanding female bee entrepreneurs, recognising their leadership and contribution to local economies and ecosystems. In parallel, scientific surveys and pilot actions will support the development of flora-based honey, highlighting the unique botanical identity of each region and reinforcing authenticity and added value,” it noted.
”Innovation is further strengthened through the pilot testing of smart beehives, which monitor hive conditions and pollen types, supporting sustainable hive management and credible flora-based branding. Knowledge generated through these pilots will be shared across regions, reinforcing the Mediterranean Bee Economy as a modern, data-informed sector,” CCCI said.
PLANBEE also takes the Bee Economy beyond production, investing strongly in apitourism as an emerging form of sustainable tourism. The project will establish six Regional Apitourism Offices, enhance and expand HoneyBee Routes across all partner regions, and bring them together under a Mediterranean Apitourism Cluster. ”These routes will be market-tested with real visitors, promoted digitally and internationally, and showcased at a major tourism fair, positioning Mediterranean bee-based experiences on the global tourism map,” the press release said.
Finally, PLANBEE aims for long-term impact by engaging policymakers from the outset. Regional Policy Support Committees will work alongside project partners to translate practical experience, it is noted.