Drought Threatens Morocco’s Honey Industry as Bee Populations Decline

Moroccan honey producers are recording many losses due to this situation. "The drought has hit the beekeeping sector hard in Morocco, significantly impacting honey production," explains to Hespress Abdelkader Berni, president of the Tamesna cooperative in Benslimane, the main honey production region, adding that this cooperative "is the mainstay of subsistence for many families. Indeed, more than eleven families find their means of subsistence through this structure".

And to continue: "Environmental challenges, such as pollution and drought, have exacerbated the difficulties we face. This situation is particularly worrying for the population of Benslimane, who feel the direct impact of these changes." In the same vein, Mohammed, a beekeeper, is concerned about the massive death of bees. "This situation is alarming and plunges the beekeeping world into a deep crisis. Several factors contribute to this decline, and although many causes are mentioned, we identify drought at 60% and disease at 40%," he comments.

To address this situation, beekeepers are calling on the government for support to the sector. "We are facing a difficult financial situation, as we have not received any aid for some time," complains Mohamed. For his part, Lahcen Benbel, the president of the National Union of Beekeeping Professionals in Morocco, stressed "that no professional beekeeper member of our union has benefited" from government support, which he had however promised to beekeepers following the collapse of hives in Morocco.

The trade unionist also calls for working to enhance national honey, which involves revising Article 10 of Decree No. 2.17.463 of November 14, 2017. "This decree allows the blending of Moroccan honey with imported honey, which compromises the quality and authenticity of the product. It is also necessary to review the tolerance booklet as well as the instruction booklet to guarantee the purity and quality of honey produced in Morocco," says Benbel, hoping that the year 2024 "will be beneficial after the recent rainfall in various regions of the Kingdom".