Honey production in Sardinia halved . The causes: the drought and the long period of great heat with the summer blooms burned by the sun, the exhausted bees forced to lengthen flights to find nourishment. In some cases, bees are being artificially watered to keep them from dying.
The figure emerges from Coldiretti's first report on Made in Italy honey in 2022, with the national harvest practically halved (-40%) compared to the production potential that sees Sardinia among the most penalized regions.
The result - specifies the trade association - is a Made in Italy production of around 13 million kilos at national level, among the lowest of the decade .
In Sardinia it was the south of the island that was most penalized , while the other territories alternately breathed: in the summer the Oristano which recorded good honey harvests and in the spring central Northern Sardinia, the rest of the region instead suffered. even the strong and continuous wind.
But in addition to the push of the climate - Coldiretti underlines - the "bee shepherds" must also face the explosion of costs due to the international tensions generated by the war in Ukraine : from glass jars to labels, from cartons to diesel.
In Sardinia, according to Coldiretti's calculations, there are 2,273 beekeepers (906 professionals and 1,367 hobbyists) , who take care of 74,597 hives (62,684 professionals and 11,913 hobbyists). Those that certify organic are 251 with 11,209 hives.
(Unioneonline / L)
