Uruguay's record rapeseed planting faces hive shortage warning

Uruguay is poised to break records in rapeseed cultivation for the 2026 harvest, with an estimated 400,000 hectares planted. This expansion is expected to boost the supply of nectar and pollen, benefiting beekeepers.

However, experts urge caution. In 2025, Uruguay experienced a higher-than-normal loss of beehives, prompting researchers to issue warnings. Belén Branccichela, an investigator at the National Agricultural Research Institute, noted that existing beehives might not be enough to pollinate the vast rapeseed fields, leading to a deficit.

While rapeseed is nutritionally beneficial for bees, it can also trigger "swarming fever," a natural process where a hive overstimulates and divides, reducing the workforce. This phenomenon, along with potential intoxications that remain inconclusive, contributed to significant hive losses last year. Researchers are advising beekeepers to monitor their apiaries more closely this season.

Adding to the challenges, the upcoming spring is predicted to bring above-normal rainfall due to El Niño, potentially limiting bees' foraging activities and access to apiaries. The impact on honey production remains uncertain, as it depends on beekeepers' efforts to manage swarming and harvest honey efficiently. In good years, some producers yield up to 20 kilograms of honey per hive, but the national average is typically around 10 kilograms.