Stable honey harvest in Saxony - concern about imported goods

The honey harvest in Saxony was average this year. This is reported by Marcus Schwuchow from the Saxon Beekeepers' Association. According to the honey observer, the frost-free spring in particular contributed to the "pleasingly unspectacular honey year". The bees were able to fly to the fruit blossoms and collect plenty of nectar. Only parts of northern Saxony complained about drought, according to Schwuchow. He expects an average yield of 30 to 32 kilograms of honey per bee colony in Saxony - final figures should be available in October.

Tino Lorz from the Dresden Beekeepers' Association even describes the honey harvest as "exceptionally good". In his 20 years or so as a beekeeper, he has almost never experienced anything like it, says the association chairman. The high yield is pleasing. At the same time, however, beekeepers are concerned about a persistent problem: cheap imported honey from abroad is threatening the industry. "Commercial beekeeping is basically dead in Saxony," says the 47-year-old. It has increasingly become a hobby in the larger cities.

The Asian hornet is also an issue in Saxony. Although it has not yet been sighted in the state, Lorz firmly expects it to spread in the future. According to chairman Michael Hardt, the state association is trying to sensitize its members to the issue with training courses. Trachtbeobachter Schwuchow says: "The Asian hornet is not yet a problem. If it becomes a problem, we will find a solution for it too."

The Saxon Beekeepers' Association has around 4,500 members who look after around 37,000 bee colonies. According to the association, this is around half of all Saxon beekeepers. The honey harvest begins in spring and can last until August.