The April frosts in Ukraine had a negative impact not only on fruit trees but also on bees, the main pollinators of crops. According to ProAgro Group, the drop in night temperatures below freezing has become a stressful factor for bees, especially for those that had a poor winter or started flying out of their hives early in search of nectar.
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Although the frosts themselves did not cause massive bee deaths, they did increase the number of weakened and sick individuals. The condition of the brood – young bees – also worsened, as not all families were able to keep them warm and provide them with enough food.
This spring’s weather conditions have only exacerbated the threat of a decline in the bee population in Ukraine. According to the State Statistics Service, in 2024, the number of bee colonies in the country’s controlled territories decreased by 5.7% to 2.17 million. The largest losses were recorded in private apiaries, where the number of families decreased by 6.6%, and in the agricultural sector — by 7.9%.
The decline in the bee population is an alarming signal for the agricultural sector, as these insects play a key role in plant pollination and, consequently, crop formation. Experts emphasise that in addition to weather factors, the population is also affected by diseases, pesticides, and a decrease in biodiversity.
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