Higher Number of Beekeepers Corresponding with Reduction in Bee Colonies Nationwide - Increasing number of beekeepers alongside a decline in bee colonies nationwide.
Declining Bee Colonies Coincide with Rise in Saxony-Anhalt Beekeepers
The number of bee colonies in Saxony-Anhalt has succumbed to a decrease, according to the latest reports. Paul Schenk, chair of the Beekeepers' Association of Saxony-Anhalt, attributes this decline to economic constraints, primarily the increase in imports of Ukrainian honey leading to falling prices. The German Beekeepers' Association advocates for the preservation of tariffs on imported honey.
Simultaneously, the number of beekeepers in the state has risen to a record high of 3,482, as per the 2024 data. Beekeepers in urban areas, such as Halle, Magdeburg, and Dessau maintain an average of six colonies, while those in rural areas tend to manage eight to ten. The districts of Harz, Bördekreis, and Saalekreis each house more than 2,500 colonies, with Harz leading the pack with 2,781 colonies.
Climate change and agricultural practices pose significant threats to the food base of these bees. Over 60% of the food source comes from trees outside forests (field and hedge trees), a significant portion of which is under threat due to climate change, affecting the overall health of these essential pollinators.
Other factors contributing to bee colony losses include intensive land use, nitrogen input, larger field sizes, decreased crop diversity, the loss of greenlands, widespread use of plant protection products, and reduced structural diversity. Winter losses have varied for years, sometimes reaching up to 20%, with milder winters leading to stronger infestations of Varroa mites, transmitters of diseases causing colony losses.
Despite these challenges, the Beekeepers' Association of Saxony-Anhalt has reported a surge in interest in beginner beekeeping courses, with schools, after-school care facilities, and kindergartens showing keen interest. This year, six schools were selected from 20 applications for the school beekeeping project, each receiving a complete beekeeping equipment set worth around 2,000 euros. The project aims to promote sustainable growth of young talent interested in beekeeping.
Hobby beekeepers in Saxony-Anhalt may receive up to 1,750 euros in support annually, while professional beekeepers can receive up to 8,500 euros. The Beekeepers' Association and associations can be supported for various purposes.
- To mitigate the decline in bee colonies, the German Beekeepers' Association is advocating for the preservation of tariffs on imported honey, recognizing the impact of economic factors like increased imports from Ukraine.
- In the face of this decline, the number of beekeepers in Saxony-Anhalt has substantially increased, with 3,482 beekeepers registered in 2024, emphasizing the role of education and self-development in the field of Community policy.
- Science, particularly environmental-science, plays a crucial role in understanding the threats to bees, such as climate-change and its effects on the food sources of bees, including trees outside forests.
- To foster sustainable living and environmental awareness, the Beekeepers' Association of Saxony-Anhalt offers vocational training programs in beekeeping, attracting interest from schools, after-school care facilities, and kindergartens, contributing to lifelong-learning and education-and-self-development.
- The Association also offers financial support to hobby and professional beekeepers, ensuring that all levels of participation in sustainable-living and home-and-garden practices remain accessible, further championing the cause of the dwindling bee colonies.
