Varroa mite forces Australian growers to plan for paid pollination services

The Australian horticulture industry, long reliant on millions of feral honey bees for crop pollination, is facing a significant shift. The advancing spread of the varroa mite, particularly in Queensland, is decimating wild bee populations, jeopardizing the free pollination services that have been a cornerstone of agricultural production for generations.

Commercial beekeepers like Keith Lang emphasize that pollination is far more critical than honey production. "People think bees are all about honey, but we can do without honey," he stated. "We can't do without pollination." The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council estimates that honey bees contribute approximately $4.6 billion annually in pollination services, essential for about 65 horticultural crops nationwide.

Danny Le Feuvre, the council's chief executive, warned that overseas experiences with varroa mite have shown a potential loss of up to 95 percent of feral honey bee colonies. As these wild populations dwindle, growers will increasingly depend on managed hives supplied by commercial beekeepers. This transition is occurring at a challenging time for the beekeeping sector.

Beekeepers are grappling with significantly increased costs and labor demands due to varroa mite management. Coupled with persistently low honey prices, many businesses are struggling to remain profitable. Surveys indicate a substantial number of commercial beekeepers are contemplating exiting the industry, precisely when the demand for managed pollination services is projected to surge. The industry has launched a new national Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) Plan to address these challenges, focusing on varroa management, bee breeding, biosecurity, and supporting beekeepers to maintain healthy hive numbers.

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People think bees are all about honey, but we can do without honey. We can't do without pollination.