Due to the lack of rain in southern Italy, there is no pollen
Due to record heat, the Coldiretti agricultural association is complaining about a collapse in honey production and a record increase in costs. Particularly in Sicily, the drought had a negative impact on citrus honey production. Due to the lack of rain, the bees lack pollen. The difficult situation, which has persisted since last spring, has become even worse in recent weeks. As a result of the drought, there was a general collapse in the production of all types of honey.
An increase in the not always legal import of honey
On the other hand, bad weather affected spring production in northern Italy. According to Coldiretti, there is a danger that the decline in production will encourage the import of honey from abroad.
In 2023, 356 tonnes of illegal honey was confiscated from countries including China, Argentina, Brazil and Hungary.
In the first four months of 2024, imports of honey from abroad increased by 11%, with substandard goods being bought at bargain prices and then sold as local honey.
According to Coldiretti, Italy consumes about half a kilogram of honey per person per year, below the European average of 600 grams.
