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Spanish honey at risk

The increase in production costs, the drought and the problems of pests of other species put the beekeeping sector at risk and consequently the production of Spanish honey. For all these reasons, this week the sector has come out to demonstrate in search of solutions that guarantee its viability.

The more than 35.000 Spanish beekeepers are experiencing a perfect storm. On the one hand the low production due to the drought and on the other hand the shortage of production caused by invasive species that cause problems in the Spanish hives. Added to all this is the rise in prices of the materials needed for production. This is the case of glass and also diesel, since half of the producers practice transhumance from their hives.

The results of all this make the activity unfeasible since the costs per kg of honey exceed €4,5/Kg and the market does not admit it. The consequence is that half of last year's production is still in the warehouses and has serious marketing problems.

And the Chinese honey arrived to eat the Spanish one

The great price difference that exists in the cost of production in countries like China or Latin America with respect to the Spanish one is affecting Spanish beekeepers. It does so both in the Spanish market and in countries where Spanish honey was exported, such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Germany or Great Britain.

Added to all this is another major complaint from the sector, which is that the labeling of the miel be clear since the labeling law promotes, and more at this time, picaresque and confusion. Currently the regulation only requires indicating the countries where the honey originates from, but not the percentage of each one. In this way, honey that is mixed can have 99% Chinese honey and 1% Spanish honey and indicate both sources. This practice is more common in the context of current inflation where 80% of consumers are looking for discounted or promoted products.

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