Today in Ukraine there are from 80 to 100 thousand beekeepers. Such an assessment during a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry was voiced by the director of development of the company-exporter of honey “Askania-pack” Viktor Ivanchenko.

On the topic of the number of beekeepers, he notes, there is a lot of speculation. Called numbers from 200 to 400 thousand. “In order to get a more realistic figure, we analyzed the export structure for several years and deduced the average lot that we purchase (today it is 900 kg). Considering the average honey collection at the level of 80 thousand tons, we came to the conclusion that the number of beekeepers in Ukraine does not exceed 100 thousand, "the expert shares information.

The structure of Ukrainian beekeeping is very colorful. About 60% of all honey is produced in amateur apiaries, with no more than 50 bee families. Professional producers serving more than 200 bee families produce up to 5% of all honey. 25% are accounted for by middle beekeepers.

Given this, Ukraine can quickly lose the achieved level of honey exports. Firstly, none of the links, including the beekeeper, are happy with the economic component. The current production cost of honey does not allow the apiary to be self-sustaining if its scope does not exceed 200 bee families.

That is, a small and medium beekeeper cannot provide for himself. On the other hand, it does not have enough funds for expansion. Sooner or later, this category will raise the question of whether to continue its work. Secondly, today honey is the only source of income for the beekeeper and he is very dependent on the conjuncture of the honey market, and now it is not very favorable.

Thirdly, the age of beekeepers is often critical. The average age category of beekeepers, especially small ones, is the retirement age. Sooner or later, these people will face the question, but there is the strength to continue. And whether their children or grandchildren will continue their work.