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Journal of Central European Agriculture, Vol. 9 No. 3, 2008.

Review article

THE STATE OF BEEKEEPING IN CROATIA

Lidija Svečnjak orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-7833-8891 ; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000. Zagreb, Croatia
Gordana Hegić ; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000. Zagreb, Croatia
Janja Kezić ; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000. Zagreb, Croatia
Martin Turšić ; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000. Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Marica Dražić ; Croatian Livestock Center, Ilica 101, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Dragan Bubalo ; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000. Zagreb, Croatia
Nikola Kezić ; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska 25, 10000. Zagreb, Croatia

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Abstract

In this paper analysis of beekeeping conditions, number and distribution of beekeepers and honeybee colonies, annual colony losses as well as honey production, export, import and consumption are given. Beekeeping in Croatia has a long tradition. In comparison to pasture potential and necessity for pollination of cultivated
and wild plants, present beekeeping is inadequately developed and distributed in different regions. According to data of the Croatian Livestock Center (2008) there are 313 978 honeybee colonies registered in the 2007 in Croatia on professional and sideline apiaries. The majority of honeybee colonies is placed in Pannonian region with 238 300 (76%), second in representation is in Mediterranean region with 59 763 (19%) and less represented is in
Mountain region with 15 915 (5%) honeybee colonies. Yearly honey production is approximately 5 000 t and 2 000 t of national honey consumption (0.4 kg per capita) gives possibility for honey export. Croatia exported 1 051 in 2003, but 274 t of honey in 2007, which indicates on significant export decreasing trend. Normal 10 % of winter colony losses till 2007 increased in 2007/2008 on 55 615 (41.71 %) in Pannonian region, 13 892 (37.46 %) in Mediterranean and 5 359 (32.71 %) in Mountain region. There is a need to make beekeeping much more flexible to fit into an integrated agricultural system, as well as more oriented to the consumers’ demands, to be able to increase competitiveness.

Keywords

beekeeping; honeybee colonies; honey production; honey export; colony losses

Hrčak ID:

35397

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/35397

Publication date:

28.11.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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