Beekeepers across France are grappling with a devastating honey production crisis, as bees face starvation and yields drop drastically by up to 80%. The harsh weather, including a cold and wet spring, has created disastrous conditions for the bees.
Mickael Isambert, a beekeeper in Saint-Ours-les-Roches, shared that his farm, which usually produces 15 kilos of honey per beehive annually, only managed to gather between five and seven kilos this year. Due to the persistent rain, which prevents bees from foraging for pollen, many bees were forced to feed on their own reserves of honey.
The unseasonal weather, with a 45% increase in rainfall and temperatures consistently below 18°C (64°F), hindered flower nectar production—vital for honey production. As a result, many colonies did not gather enough resources, leading to starvation and the death of some bees. Jean-Luc Hascoet, a beekeeper from Brittany, reported the loss of 15 colonies and described the situation as dire, with some colonies dying from hunger as food sources dwindled.
The French National Beekeeping Union (Unaf) described this year as “catastrophic,” with spring harvests in some areas down by 80%. This grim situation follows several years of extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves and delayed frosts, compounding the struggles of beekeepers.
The crisis has also led to protests against unfair competition from foreign honey producers. In response, the French government has allocated €5 million in aid to support the beleaguered beekeeping industry.
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