Saxon beekeepers are complaining about considerable losses among their bees at the start of spring. "Many colonies have come out of the winter relatively weak," said Michael Hardt, Chairman of the Saxon Beekeepers' Association, to the German Press Agency. And a number of colonies had died completely. He estimated the losses at 30 to 50 percent, with some beekeepers even losing all their colonies.
"The market is flooded with imported honey."
Hardt does not believe that honey is now becoming scarce: "The market is flooded with imported honey." Beekeepers who run their beekeeping as a main or sideline business have recently found it difficult to find wholesalers who will buy honey from them. However, anyone who values honey from the region could be left empty-handed for the time being due to the loss of colonies at their regular beekeeper. However, many beekeepers in Saxony are well networked through their associations and can help out through fellow beekeepers if necessary, explained the expert.
However, local honey could become more expensive in the future. According to Hardt, this is not so much due to colony losses, but rather to the general price trend, which is also making beekeepers' work more expensive. As examples, he cited the cost of winter feed, which has risen significantly, and higher travel costs. He now sees 7.50 euros for a 500-gram jar of honey as the lower limit for Saxony.
