The head of a beekeeping organisation in Germany has revealed many apiculture beginners are throwing in the towel after underestimating the activity.
Torsten Ellmann, who chairs the German Association of Beekeepers, said: “Many of those who have dived into their new hobby with lots of enthusiasm give up after just two or three years.”
Ellmann, who did not disclose detailed figures, explained that there is a widespread disregard for the fact that apiculture is an immensely time-consuming but also costly pastime.
He urged any newcomers to sign up for lectures and seek the support of experienced honey farm managers.
Furthermore, Ellmann warned that beekeeping beginners must brace for spending between EUR 1,000 and EUR 1,500 (GBP 867 to GBP 1,300) on their first bee colonies and various devices such as protective gear and a honey extractor.
Reflecting on developments in Germany in recent years, Ellmann revealed there are more and more female apiarists. Nevertheless, almost eight in 10 beekeepers based in Germany are men.
Ellmann added that the average age has been in decline from around 65 in the 20th century to 55 nowadays.
The German Association of Beekeepers, which represents non-professional apiarists, has around 149,000 members.
The average number of colonies each of them is in charge of shrank from 11 to seven, long-term surveys have shown.
The Varroa destructor mite, American Foulbrood, Asian hornets and climate change are the prevalent threats beekeepers and honeybees are currently confronted with, according to Ellmann.
