Out of 3 million Russian bees, only half were able to fly to the blooming fields this spring – the rest succumbed to the forces of nature and competitors. Is this critical and what will happen to honey prices?
“Considering that our bees have barely been able to recover in recent years after various unpleasant events, the current situation looks threatening,” says Valery Kapunin, the head of the Union of Beekeepers of Russia. “However, I hope that the volume of losses will not be fatal.”
There is hope that by the start of the main honey collection period, it will still be possible to recover these losses in various ways. Somewhere it will be possible to buy a family, somewhere a beehive, etc. “Strangely enough, suppliers from Central Asia are helping,” Kapunin continues. “Although we complain about them (or rather, their bees), we have no other choice today. Because we have neglected our own breeding of bees very much.”
This year, our bees experienced several painful blows at once: first bad weather, then pesticide poisoning. Finally, the uncontrolled import of bees – mainly from the same Central Asia (southern bees, which are not adapted to our conditions, but are cheap and productive). As for prices, they are unlikely to change significantly despite the damage to the industry. Experts say: the honey market in Russia is quite falsified. A honest beekeeper cannot compete by raising prices due to objective reasons – they won’t buy it. The most unfortunate thing is that distinguishing real honey from fake is almost impossible.
“Even special skills do not help,” notes certified honey sommelier Ivan Kozyarskiy. “Counterfeiting has reached such heights that only a laboratory analysis can protect from forgery.”
Kozyarskiy admits that he himself has been fooled when buying honey even at reputable fairs. “If you want to avoid surprises, find your honest beekeeper,” he advises.
Honey Math
If a person wants to set up 2-3 beehives, they will need around 150,000 rubles at the start. In the end of the season, there will be 50-60 kg of honey – enough for the family and friends.