Filenews 16 January 2026
The reduction in honey production in Cyprus due to weather conditions amounts to up to 30%, while the challenges faced by producers include unfair competition from imported honey, says the Senior Agriculture Officer, Lysandros Lysandrides.
As Mr. Lysandridis said, the pressure on bee populations – which has a key role in maintaining biodiversity, environmental balance and agricultural production – is a global and multifactorial phenomenon. It is indicative, he noted, that bees participate in the pollination of 75% of the planet's plants and in 80-90% of the production of many fruit and arable crops, making their presence critical, especially in countries such as Cyprus that are strongly affected by the consequences of climate change.
The main causes of the reduction, he said, are climate change, the loss of habitats due to urbanization and fires, but also the irrational use of pesticides. Typical examples are countries such as Bulgaria, where, as he said, it is estimated that up to 90% of the colonies have been lost, as well as the United States, which is expected to record losses of 70%.
In Cyprus, beehive losses do not reach similar levels, mainly due to the experience of beekeepers in dry and hot conditions, but also the costly efforts they make to make up for the losses, he added. Nevertheless, he said, the consequences on production are significant, as in years with adverse weather conditions the average honey production per hive decreases by at least 30%.
According to Mr. Lysandridis, increased temperatures, prolonged drought, wildfires and urbanization lead to a dramatic shrinkage of wild vegetation, limiting the available pollen and nectar. At the same time, as he said, there are changes in the biological cycle of bees, which weaken their immune system and make them more vulnerable to pathogens and enemies, such as wasps and bee-eaters, whose activity has increased in recent years.
Recognizing these impacts, the state implements a series of national and EU support measures, such as the Beekeeping Program, actions of the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 for biodiversity, organic beekeeping and bee colony management, as well as aid for the cost of moving hives.
However, the most important problem of the sector remains, according to Mr. Lysandridis, the unfair competition from imported honey. Indicatively, the price of importing honey from China to the EU amounts to about €1.39 per kilogram, while Cypriot honey is sold at retail at around €10 per kilogram. Despite the increase in production costs, Cypriot beekeepers have not proceeded with corresponding price increases, which calls into question the viability of the profession, he added.
Despite the difficulties, data concerning Cyprus' self-sufficiency in honey, which amounts to 45%, as well as the high percentage of young people under the age of 40 who are active in the sector, create conditions for cautious optimism, said Mr. Lysandrides. Highlighting the quality superiority of Cypriot honey and informing the consumer about the adulteration of a large part of imported honeys are critical factors for the support and sustainability of beekeeping in Cyprus, he concluded.
CNA
