Apiculture
This section comments on a range of beekeeping activities and products throughout New Zealand.
Key Points
- The number of registered beekeepers decreased by 290, compared with a decrease of 470 last year.
- There are currently 3,790 beekeepers owning 300,177 hives on 20,391 apiaries.
- The honey crop of 12,252 tonnes (6-year average 8,806 tonnes) was the best on record and a much needed turnaround from the record low crop of 4,682 tonnes in 2002.
- Export markets were very buoyant and prices for most lines of honey increased.
- The National Beekeepers' Association of NZ (Inc) (NBA) became a voluntary organisation, while an alternative body called the NZ Beekeeping Industry Group (NZBIG) was established as a sector group within Federated Farmers of New Zealand Inc.
- The varroa management programme ended on 30 June 2003 and will hopefully be replaced by a varroa pest management strategy.
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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