Honey harvest in France: 40% less and only 12,000 tons

Honey production in France this campaign is expected to amount to around 12,000 t, which is 40% less than in the previous campaign, which is estimated at 20,000 t, according to figures provided by the French Union of Beekeepers (UNAF). The winter of 2023/2024 was particularly mild and wet. Bee colonies resumed their activity, mortality seemed relatively contained and the campaign seemed favourable with vegetation that had not suffered from drought. Unfortunately, weather conditions deteriorated very quickly and continued throughout spring, until the beginning of summer, in the southern regions and throughout the campaign, in northern France and Brittany. Rain (+45% precipitation), cold spells, wind and late frosts followed one another for many months and did not allow bees to take advantage of the flowering to collect nectar and pollen. On several occasions, beekeepers even had to provide food supplements to keep the colonies from starving, which has meant considerable additional ...