A quarter of small beekeeping farms have disappeared in a year. This is shown by the statistics of the United Beekeepers Union. There is also a decrease of 8-9 percent among farmers who keep from 10 to 150 bee families. There are many reasons, but the main one is that people in the sector are suffering big losses, Nova TV explains.
The winter was kind to the Dobruja beekeepers and the bee mortality rate is only about 3%. As the crops grow, however, they face a perennial problem.
"We have a problem at the moment with wheat spraying. Bees are very aggressive. I have a doubt that unregulated preparations imported from Turkey are being used," says Desislav Yanakiev, a professional beekeeper.
The number of people wishing to engage in beekeeping, in the largest association in Dobrich, has halved. "Survival is getting harder and harder. Mainly because of the low purchase price. Many of the colleagues sold this fall and continue to sell entire apiaries, hives, inventory, locations that they have purchased over time. Descendant beekeepers are giving up beekeeping, which is not good!", said Galin Georgiev, chairman of the "Bee" association. – Dobrich.