Acacia honey, a type of honey in high demand on the market, has been collected in smaller quantities as compared to last year because of the cold and rainy weather. Less honey means higher prices.
Ion Maxim, president of the National Association of Beekeepers, told IPN that beekeepers sell wholesale honey at up to 80 lei a kilo if pollen content reaches 20% and at 60-65 lei per kilo if it contains less pollen.
There is also a little less linden honey as compared to last year. The heavy rainfall followed by a shortage of rain has diminished the content and the amount of pollen. This year one kilo of wholesale linden honey costs 45 – 55 lei while last year -- 45-50 lei lei.
There is only more multiflower honey. Even so, it is more expensive by 10 lei. The wholesale price of multiflower honey ranges from 35 to 40 lei.
Ion Maxim says this year the estimated quantity of honey is over 5,000 tonnes. Moldova can produce more, even up to 12,000 tonnes, according to Ion Maxim.
In his opinion, beekeeping should be developed by applying new technologies. Also, it is necessary to discuss with the orchard and field owners so that they should use substances that are harmless for bees.
On the market the acacia honey costs 100-120 lei a kilo, linden honey 80-100 lei a kilo and multiflower honey 50-70 lei a kilo.
Between 16-19 August, in the square of the Metropolitan Nativity Cathedral a bee fair will be held where honey can be purchased directly from the producer.
There are over seven thousand beekeepers in Moldova. Last year more than 4,000 tonnes of honey have been exported.
