National  honey production could be slashed by 50pc as hundreds of bee hives have been devastated by the worst winter and spring in living memory.

Beekeepers across the country have reported a drop in colonies as a wet summer last year gave way to an extended winter. Flowers are not yet blooming and hives which survived the winter are weeks behind where they should be at this time of year, experts claim.

This is a press realease by  Airborne Honey

The State Government, through the Department of Economic and Technological Development (Sedet), delivered, on Wednesday (17), 658 beehives  and 29  smokers to 38 members of the Beekeepers Association of Campo Maior (Apicam), which is part of program of Local Productive Arrangements (APLs). With funding from BNDES and contrast of the State Government and Apicam invested R $ 108,864.00 i( US$ 54,000) n the acquisition of equipment.

Gross value of the industry in the Chinese capital was 190 million yuan ($31 million) in 2012, with annual honey production of 7.5 million kg, 130,000 kg of royal jelly and 49,000 kg of bee pollen, according to Beijing Apiculture Co, which integrates beekeeping, healthcare research and exports in the city. Beijing has 79 professional bee cooperative societies and 56 apiculture industrial bases, which have greatly boosted development of the industry.

Prepared on April  2013 by The International Research Institute for Climate and Society

In the presence of a dozen beekeepers  of  Brinkmann, Mortars, Porteña, Arrochar, Miramar, La Paquita, Altos de Chipion, Balnearia proceeded to the signing of the lease agreement between Beekeeping Association "Mar de  Ansenuza" ACE and Brinkmann ALDE company, in order to initiate the installation of the honey bottlling plant

“We’re probably looking at 40% losses of colonies over this winter,” says George Hansen, the president of the American Beekeeping Federation. Declining colony numbers are thought to be caused by a number of factors, including pesticides and the mysterious “Colony Collapse Disorder,” which Hansen says causes bees to suddenly disappear from the hive. “I’ve seen a 65% loss over the winter … generally the loss would only range from 5% to 15%,” says Cathy Wolko of the Connecticut-based Humble Honey Bee Honey Company.

In a note, COAG Andalucía has indicated that persistent rainfall has prevented the bees could come out to feed, combined with the difficulties of access to the apiary, has caused "a drastic reduction in the number of animals", in part by mortality (over 30%) and partly by the slowdown in the development of the colony.

Beekeeper of stingless bee speaks of multiplication techniques