The honey harvest in 2015 could only be a third of the size of last year’s after poor weather affected nectar flow.
Nantwich bee farmer Cris Reeves says wet weather and cooler temperatures during nectar production in spring and summer have led to a dramatic drop in the amount of honey harvested.
But stocks of Haughton Honey remain high after a bumper harvest in 2014 and the company’s 1,600 hives across Cheshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Warwickshire.
“The honey crop can fluctuate quite widely from one year to the next and, in the main, it’s all down to the weather,” said Cris.
“2013 was an atrocious year as we had a very long winter and spring never really got
going.
“Last year was really very good by comparison. Bee farmers who contribute to the Haughton Honey brand harvested more than 24,000 kilos of honey during 2014.
“This year, however, it looks like these hives will produce little over 10,000 kilos – significantly less than half of what was collected last year.
“It looks likely the honey harvest generally could be around a third of last year’s crop. Matters could become very seriously compounded if next year turns out to be similar to this one though.
“We have enough volume to supply our existing customers and take on new ones, but we’re hoping next year proves to be a better year weather-wise for the bees and for the livelihood of bee farmers.
“They play an extremely important role within the natural ecosystem and who receive no
farming subsidies from the European Union.”
Cris launched Haughton Honey last year and supplies more than 60 stores across the North West and the Midlands.
Honey is the only food product that doesn’t deteriorate over time, added Cris, who has been a bee farmer for more than ten years.
Haughton Honey is raw honey straight from the hive, is cold extracted and never pasteurised. It retains natural enzymes and proteins.
Earlier this year, Haughton Honey was one of ten short-listed products in the sweet preserves category of the Great British Food Farm Produce Awards 2015, run by Great British Food Magazine.
For more details visit www.haughtonhoney.com
Presumably cycles like this are usual? Love the honey, BTW!