The National Federation of Beekeepers of Portugal (FNAP) has reported significant losses in honey production in the Terra Quente region, with estimates of several tons gone. This is attributed to fluctuating weather conditions, as described: “The hives grew ready to produce, and just as they were starting, when there was flowering, the temperature changed drastically.”
Manuel Gonçalves, president of FNAP and the Beekeepers Association of the Montesinho Natural Park, explained the situation further: “It was nice weather, and 20 days later it turned rainy, windy, with very low temperatures. The bees retracted, stopped laying eggs, the older bees died, there was no renewal, the number of bees in the hive decreased, they couldn’t recover, and there was no production.”
The protected Montesinho area saw hives severely affected. Maria João Pires, a beekeeper in Bragança, has around 900 hives that produced just over 20% of expected honey. “It’s very complicated for us as producers because we were counting on this production to sell, and with an 80% loss, it’s very hard to sell the product,” she stated.
She highlighted the impact of constant weather changes and fires, with the Montesinho Natural Park suffering a fire in July that destroyed flora vital for bees. The only alternative is to feed the hives: “Or we do that, or the bees die,” she explained, noting “higher costs” and “no support.” “Either we have funds to invest, or we can’t supplement and end up losing the hives, the honey, everything,” she emphasized.
Pires calls for “significant government support” to allow producers to sustain themselves. She argues that the subsidies provided are “inadequate” and does not seek help because “it’s not worth it.”
Another affected beekeeper, Francisco Peres, has about 200 hives in Mirandela with a “very large” production drop. “A reduction of around 50% or more. Here, with these 40 hives, I usually harvest 1,000 kilos of honey; this year, I didn’t reach 300 kilos,” he lamented.
Francisco also criticizes the support due to the ongoing apiculture sector crisis. “These hives have been treated four times this year, and the help is only for two treatments, so it’s not enough,” he stated.
Mirandela was one of the municipalities hit by fires this summer. José Domingos, president of the Cooperative of Honey from Terra Quente and Dried Fruits, revealed that over 10,000 hives were consumed by flames, with some producers losing almost 300 hives.
Given this scenario, Domingos fears some beekeepers may abandon their work. “Last year, production was below average, but it was accepted. This year, maintaining the hives wasn’t possible. If we’re working, spending money—which anything in beekeeping is costly—then there’s no income, people consider quitting,” he remarked.
The saying goes, “Misery loves company;” following an unstable spring and summer fires, autumn brings a severe threat from the Asian hornet or Velutina, which preys on bees. “Because of the Velutina, bees don’t leave their hives. If we don’t feed them, they die of hunger,” explained Francisco Peres, who has “11 traps” in an apiary of about 40 hives, capturing “hundreds” of Asian hornets. “This is a very serious problem,” he asserted.
So severe it could threaten the agricultural sector and human existence, as bees contribute to food production through pollination. “Agriculture is also at risk. Beekeeping stimulates all this, ensuring production. If we start declining, giving up [beekeeping], especially almond orchards will have difficulties in their production,” stated José Domingos.
In the entire northern region, due to fires, FNAP data indicates that 14,000 hives were affected, with around 4,000 destroyed.
Regarding productive potential support, FNAP president Manuel Gonçalves revealed that to address the losses, beekeepers are paid for “pollination services,” particularly in almond and walnut plantations, providing “an income that compensates for the declining production.”
Mel producers whose hives were destroyed by fire could also access government assistance of 10,000 euros.
