Beekeepers in France are facing a catastrophic year as honey production falls drastically. Bad weather, including heavy rain and low temperatures, has caused yields to drop by up to 80%. Beekeepers had to feed bees sugar, and many colonies died of hunger, making it a 'black year' for the industry.
Beekeepers across France are reporting a catastrophic year for honey production, with yields dropping by up to 80% due to adverse weather.
Mickael Isambert, a beekeeper in Saint-Ours-les-Roches, lost 70% of his honey and had to feed his bees sugar after a cold, rainy spring.
Unaf reports spring production dropped 80%, with summer unlikely to offset the loss.
Jean-Luc Hascoet in Brittany lost 15 colonies, and others saw bees dying of hunger.
French beekeepers, already struggling from previous years of extreme weather, consider this a 'black year'.