Spanish beekeeping sector crisis

The Spanish beekeeping sector is facing severe instability driven by climate extremes, rising operational costs, and biological threats. In Castilla-La Mancha, regional authorities and industry organizations have moved to establish the Interprofessional of Honey and the Apicultural Sector to organize the value chain and improve product traceability. To support producers, the regional government plans to propose specific aid to Brussels under the Common Agricultural Policy and is considering diesel tax relief to mitigate the costs of hive maintenance and transhumance.

In the Bierzo region, the crisis has intensified, with the Asociación Apícola del Bierzo warning that hundreds of beekeepers may abandon the industry following four years of poor production. The situation is being driven by invasive species, specifically the Asian wasp (Vespa velutina), which has caused colony losses of nearly 90% in some instances. Producers are also struggling with insufficient food reserves in hives and threats from local bear populations, leading to calls for government-funded research and development to eradicate invasive pests.