Talking to a young apiculteur this morning he said his normal yield was down by about 40%. He was about to start to prepare jars for the 3.5 tonnes of product, though much of it is sold wholesale in 300 litre containers.
The weather this year has been the main factor affecting yields and agriculteurs have planted crops which have limited amounts of useful pollen. The main crop is rape, which often produces a harder honey, but the wild sources (chestnut; lime and acacia) also seem to have produced less blossom.
All that, of course, coupled with bee-keepers' worries with industrial insecticides which may be responsible for decimating hives.
Many of you plant "bee friendly" gardens and meadows which must help - but we have no say in the weather.
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