Eurostat reports on 2023 EU agricultural beehive statistics

According to a Eurostat report released for World Bee Day, the total number of beehives on farms across the EU reached 9.4 million in 2023, an increase of 16% or 1.3 million hives since 2020. Italy reported the highest number at 1.9 million, followed by Romania with 1.7 million, Greece with 1.2 million, and Bulgaria with 1.0 million. While 12 EU countries saw growth, 10 experienced declines, most notably Hungary with a loss of 152,110 hives and Spain with 131,440. Regarding Cyprus, sources provide conflicting figures; one indicates 33,640 hives in 2023, while another specifies that this figure represents a decrease from 38,130 hives in 2020. Eurostat noted that these statistics cover only hives located on agricultural holdings and do not reflect the total bee population. The agency emphasized the vital role of bees in global crop pollination. The data highlights a trend of uneven development in the European beekeeping sector.