Bee pollination fees jump to service increase in almond trees

A surge in demand for almond pollination services has led to a price jump for beekeepers to truck in their hives.

Bees are in hot demand across almond orchards in August. Picture: Dale Webster

BEEKEEPERS are receiving record prices to pollinate almond trees this year to service the lucrative nut industry that has witnessed a 15-fold increase in trees planted over the past two decades.

Almond growers are reportedly paying beekeepers about $160 a hive this year, up 23 per cent compared to last year’s price of about $130.

The increase follows one of the toughest summers for the honey industry as bushfires devastated swathes of native flowering forests that act as honeybees’ vital food source.

Almond Board of Australia chief executive Ross Skinner said the demand for bee hives has grown in step with Australia’s rapid orchard expansion.

“The price per hive has increased significantly this period. It varies between growers and bee keepers, with the higher prices going to those travelling the greatest distance. But I heard of prices of $160 a hive, which is a significant lift that has helped beekeepers recover (from the bushfires) and provided them with a profitable source of income,” Mr Skinner said.

Orchard area planted to almond trees increased 17 per cent between 2019 and 2019 to 53,014ha, with the number of trees now exceeding 15.4 million.

Almonds rely on bees for pollination, requiring 230,000 hives across Australia’s major growing regions that begin arriving in late July as the trees blossom.

Australian Honey Bee Industry Council chairman Trevor Weatherhead said demand for almond pollination services was booming.

“For some bee keepers it has become a very useful adjunct to them. Almond pollination is certainly giving them the cash flow to assist their honey making business, particularly those affected by the bushfires.”

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