02:44Unpredictable seasonal climate changes are wreaking havoc on honey production in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, placing beekeepers in a precarious position as they struggle to adapt to shifting weather patterns.
A beekeeper working in Milan spoke out on Friday, detailing the challenges they have faced over the past decade, noting that climate fluctuations have dramatically impacted their honey yield.
"Until about ten years ago, the seasons were stable, even in terms of flowering. In the last seven or eight years everything has changed and it has become a gamble. We are, too, always at the mercy of weather and climate," he explained.
To mitigate the impacts of these unpredictable changes, farmers have been doing what is known as nomadism, taking the hives around and chasing the blooms, in order to limit the damage.
"We have managed to limit the damage. Colleagues who keep stationary bees in one place have experienced losses of up to 70 percent."
The beekeeper reported a significant drop in his own production, estimating a decline of around 60%.
To prepare for the winter months and ensure the survival of their bee colonies, beekeepers were providing supplemental feeding with syrups, as the bees have been unable to forage for nectar due to adverse weather conditions.
Last year, Italy experienced a particularly challenging climate, with dry and cold spells accompanied by sporadic rain and harsh winds. These conditions severely limited honey production from several plant species, including citrus trees, further compounding the difficulties faced by local apiarists.
'We've a drop of about 60 percent' - Unpredictable seasonal changes push Italian beekeepers to the brink
Unpredictable seasonal climate changes are wreaking havoc on honey production in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, placing beekeepers in a precarious position as they struggle to adapt to shifting weather patterns.
A beekeeper working in Milan spoke out on Friday, detailing the challenges they have faced over the past decade, noting that climate fluctuations have dramatically impacted their honey yield.
"Until about ten years ago, the seasons were stable, even in terms of flowering. In the last seven or eight years everything has changed and it has become a gamble. We are, too, always at the mercy of weather and climate," he explained.
To mitigate the impacts of these unpredictable changes, farmers have been doing what is known as nomadism, taking the hives around and chasing the blooms, in order to limit the damage.
"We have managed to limit the damage. Colleagues who keep stationary bees in one place have experienced losses of up to 70 percent."
The beekeeper reported a significant drop in his own production, estimating a decline of around 60%.
To prepare for the winter months and ensure the survival of their bee colonies, beekeepers were providing supplemental feeding with syrups, as the bees have been unable to forage for nectar due to adverse weather conditions.
Last year, Italy experienced a particularly challenging climate, with dry and cold spells accompanied by sporadic rain and harsh winds. These conditions severely limited honey production from several plant species, including citrus trees, further compounding the difficulties faced by local apiarists.
Unpredictable seasonal climate changes are wreaking havoc on honey production in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, placing beekeepers in a precarious position as they struggle to adapt to shifting weather patterns.
A beekeeper working in Milan spoke out on Friday, detailing the challenges they have faced over the past decade, noting that climate fluctuations have dramatically impacted their honey yield.
"Until about ten years ago, the seasons were stable, even in terms of flowering. In the last seven or eight years everything has changed and it has become a gamble. We are, too, always at the mercy of weather and climate," he explained.
To mitigate the impacts of these unpredictable changes, farmers have been doing what is known as nomadism, taking the hives around and chasing the blooms, in order to limit the damage.
"We have managed to limit the damage. Colleagues who keep stationary bees in one place have experienced losses of up to 70 percent."
The beekeeper reported a significant drop in his own production, estimating a decline of around 60%.
To prepare for the winter months and ensure the survival of their bee colonies, beekeepers were providing supplemental feeding with syrups, as the bees have been unable to forage for nectar due to adverse weather conditions.
Last year, Italy experienced a particularly challenging climate, with dry and cold spells accompanied by sporadic rain and harsh winds. These conditions severely limited honey production from several plant species, including citrus trees, further compounding the difficulties faced by local apiarists.