Almost 14 tonnes of honey produced in two months

A total of 13.9 tonnes of honey were produced in the first two months of this year, including 3.9 tonnes in Gozo and Comino.

The National Statistics Office has just concluded the first comprehensive census on apiculture, which showed that there were 168 holdings involved in September 2003.

A total of 111 holdings are found in the region of Malta, the remaining 57 holdings are found in the region of Gozo.

Of all the holdings engaged in apiculture, 99 have been active for more than 10 years and 59 have been engaged in apiculture for less than that. The remaining 10 holdings use their honey bee colonies for pollination purposes rather than for the production of honey.

Out of a total of 1,938 hives recorded, 1,336 colonies were divided between 1,320 honey producing ones and 16 colonies were used for pollination purposes.

The northern district and Gozo and Comino are the two most important districts with respect to honey production, accounting for 70.7 per cent of all colonies and for 73.3 per cent of all nuclei.

There are only six holdings that have more than 50 beehives each. These holdings produce 3.7 tonnes of honey or 26.8 per cent of all honey produced.

A total of 191 people are active in beekeeping.