The recent September floods that ravaged southwestern Poland have potentially destroyed over 100,000 bee colonies, causing significant losses to the beekeeping industry, according to the Polish Beekeepers’ Association. The floods, which hit the Lower Silesia, Opole, Silesia, and Lubusz regions, severely impacted key beekeeping areas, particularly the Kłodzko Valley.
Before the disaster, these regions housed nearly 430,000 bee colonies, a crucial part of Poland’s bee population. With the destruction of hives and vital plant ecosystems, beekeepers now face the daunting task of rebuilding. The loss of bee colonies not only jeopardizes honey production but also threatens the local ecosystems, as bees play a vital role in pollination.
The association estimates that around 25% of bee colonies in the affected areas were lost, which could lead to diminished honey yields in the coming year. The damage extends beyond the bees, as essential honey plants like rapeseed and willows were also impacted by the flooding.
Over 7,000 beekeepers are expected to have been affected by the floods, and recovery efforts are projected to cost hundreds of thousands of zlotys. Despite receiving annual financial support, beekeepers will need additional funding to recover from this disaster. The cost of maintaining a single bee colony averages around 500 PLN, further compounding the financial burden on the industry.
The Polish Beekeepers’ Association has called for urgent action and additional financial aid to help the beekeeping industry recover from the devastating floods.