Italian honey production in recovery for 2020 which, compared to the previous year remembered as one of the worst, will record a growth of 13% for a total of 17 thousand tons.
These are the estimates of the Ismea Observatory contained in the Trends report dedicated to honey.
However, this is a level far below the national production capacity which counts over 1.6 million hives, up by 7.5%, positioning itself as the fourth country in Europe after Spain, Romania and Poland.
In the first 6 of 2020, Ismea reports that the number of hives in production has risen to 1.45 million, against 1.39 million in 2019, as well as those of organic honey which have reached 208 thousand against 187 thousand.
Geographically, production is widespread in all regions, where Piedmont stands out, with over 5,000 tons expected, Tuscany with over 3,000 tons and Emilia-Romagna with 2,000 tons.
As for the average yield at national level, it is about 18 kg per hive.
Although a slight recovery in production is estimated compared to 2019, the negative trend continues on most of the national territory.
Very heterogeneous and overall disappointing, except for a few exceptions, are the productions of the flagship monoflora both for the North (acacia) and for the South (citrus fruits), with a bad year for the crop.
However, climate change is not the only threat for bees, says Ismea, because 2020 also marks another negative data regarding depopulation and deaths attributable to the often improper use of plant protection products and attacks from varroa parasitic mite.
The beekeepers are also worried about competition from foreign products: every year over 20 thousand tons of honey enter Italy, with low prices that depress the market;
just think that China sends 'honey' at 1.25 euros / kg.
(HANDLE).
