Beekeepers forecast honey to grow dearer by 10-15 %

Moldovan apiculturists forecast a 10-15% hike in the honey price as the quantity to be harvested this year is deemed to be reduced. The president of the Moldovan Apiculturists Association – Apis-Mellifera -- , Andrei Zagareanu, has told Info-Prim Neo they will collect 40% less acacia honey than in 2007. The reason is the rains and temperature fluctuations which hindered the formation of nectar. If the weather is goo the next period, the beekeepers expect to get larger quantities of linden honey. “If each swarm collects some 10 kg of honey, it will be very good,” said Vasile Leucă, a beekeeper from Ungheni. According to him, in 2007, they got honey only from acacia flowers and nothing from the linden flowers. Till 2008, only 30% of the Moldovan-produced honey used to be sold domestically, the rest being exported. 80 % to the European Union, especially to Germany. The other 20% went to the CIS, specified Gheorghe Briceag, the manager of the exporting company “Apiflora”. After the interdiction to sell honey in the EU, applied to Moldova on June 3, 2008, the Moldovan exporters say they don't know what to do with the harvest, and are looking for new sale markets in the CIS. Not very successfully so far, said Gheorghe Briceag. The EU banned the Moldovan honey on reason it would contain remains of antibiotics administered to bees. The bees get sick because of temperature fluctuations. The beekeepers neglect the recommendations of European veterinarians to treat them without antibiotics, said exporter Sergiu Bazdaga. A number of beekeepers asked by Info-Prim Neo showed discontent with the prices of procuring honey for the external trade. According to them, the exporting firms propose a small procurement price of 17-25 lei/kg. The honey is sold on Moldovan markets at 50-70 lei/kg, as every Moldovan eats 50 grams a year. Still, the beekeepers complain the income they get is sufficient only to make up for the expenses . The honey would be more popular in Moldova, if it got more promotion, says an apiculturist from Calarasi, Petru Arhip. “People wouldn't buy a sweet death as the sugar is, although it is cheaper,” he says. To make a swarm the beekeepers say they need about 600 lei, plus the hive assessed at 1,000 lei. To keep a bee family they need to spend some 500-700 lei annually. Those 3,000 Moldovan apiculturists have about 120,000 swarms. Only 80,000 resist diseases. This year the beekeepers expect to get 800-1,000 tonnes of honey, while last year they got 1,300 tonnes.