Spanish honey production
drops, as bees disappear
Honey production in Spain
dropped 4.08% last year, the
country’s agriculture ministry
warned. A decline in bees, which
pollinate between 5% and 8% of
global food production, poses a
serious threat the food chain.
The drop in honey production
breaks the growing trend that
started in 2012, according to
the annual report on economic
indicators published by Spain’s
ministry of agriculture, fisheries,
food and the environment
(Mapama).
In 2016, Spain produced 32,076
tonnes of honey, signalising a drop
in volume of 7.35% compared
to the volume obtained only five
years ago.
But bee numbers are falling
rapidly due to habitat loss, climate
change, invasive species and
pesticide use.
Research by the European
Commission found that 9.2% of
bee species are endangered. “The
largest numbers of threatened
species are located in south-
central Europe,” highlights a
report dated April 2017. “The
main threat to European bees
is habitat loss as a result of
agriculture intensification (e.g.
changes in agricultural practices
including the use of pesticides and
fertilisers), urban development,
increased frequency of fires and
climate change.” For full story
see: Euractiv