Impacts of Covid-19 on Canadian Beekeeping in 2020: Part 1
Citation
Bixby MEF, Polinsky M, Guarna MM, Impacts of Covid-19 on Canadian Beekeeping in 2020: Part 1, Hivelights Summer 2021, 34(3): 25-28 https://honeycouncil.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Hivelights-Summer-2021.pdf
Plain language summary
When the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic on March 11th, 2020 beekeepers were in the middle of a critical period for arrivals of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and the importation of bees. Canadian border restrictions began to cause delays and cancellations of flights and foreign nationals were restricted entry into Canada. The Canadian Honey Council (CHC), other agricultural industry groups, and government worked tirelessly so that some TFWs were granted permission to enter Canada; charter flights were organized by the CHC but came at a cost of nearly $200,000 per plane. As a result of Covid-19 disruptions and protocols, beekeepers, along with nearly all employers in the agricultural sector, incurred additional expenses during 2020. Before these Covid-19 related labour disruptions, studies had already shown that labour shortages were a major source of stress in Canadian beekeeping, causing production and expansion delays. Labour shortages in 2018 resulted in an estimated economic loss of 12 million dollars, 6.0% of sales, in the apicultural sector (CAHRC). Importation of bee packages, queens, and beekeeping materials were also disrupted by Covid-19 travel restrictions. In 2019, Canadian beekeepers imported approximately 41,000 bee packages and over 230,000 queens.(S. Page, personal communication with data from Statistics Canada, 2021). In 2020, imports of bee packages were reduced by 67% and the number of imported queens fell by 15% during the critical spring months of March, April, and May resulting in less time for colony build up, fewer strong colonies to fulfill early pollination contracts and reduced overall productivity. In addition to labour shortages and bee import disruptions, 25% of beekeepers experienced delays and cancellations of materials due to Covid-19, including: hive resources, feed, honey processing equipment, vehicle and warehouse items. While demand for imported bees remains strong and diversifying international suppliers remains important, strategies to strengthen domestic supply chains and support beekeepers who are seeking to implement self-sufficient beekeeping systems would also greatly benefit the Canadian apicultural industry in realizing healthy colonies and stable livelihoods.
Abstract
When the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic on March 11th, 2020 beekeepers were in the middle of a critical period for arrivals of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and the importation of bees. Canadian border restrictions began to cause delays and cancellations of flights and foreign nationals were restricted entry into Canada. The Canadian Honey Council (CHC), other agricultural industry groups, and government worked tirelessly so that some TFWs were granted permission to enter Canada; charter flights were organized by the CHC but came at a cost of nearly $200,000 per plane. As a result of Covid-19 disruptions and protocols, beekeepers, along with nearly all employers in the agricultural sector, incurred additional expenses during 2020. Before these Covid-19 related labour disruptions, studies had already shown that labour shortages were a major source of stress in Canadian beekeeping, causing production and expansion delays. Labour shortages in 2018 resulted in an estimated economic loss of 12 million dollars, 6.0% of sales, in the apicultural sector (CAHRC). Importation of bee packages, queens, and beekeeping materials were also disrupted by Covid-19 travel restrictions. In 2019, Canadian beekeepers imported approximately 41,000 bee packages and over 230,000 queens.(S. Page, personal communication with data from Statistics Canada, 2021). In 2020, imports of bee packages were reduced by 67% and the number of imported queens fell by 15% during the critical spring months of March, April, and May resulting in less time for colony build up, fewer strong colonies to fulfill early pollination contracts and reduced overall productivity. In addition to labour shortages and bee import disruptions, 25% of beekeepers experienced delays and cancellations of materials due to Covid-19, including: hive resources, feed, honey processing equipment, vehicle and warehouse items. While demand for imported bees remains strong and diversifying international suppliers remains important, strategies to strengthen domestic supply chains and support beekeepers who are seeking to implement self-sufficient beekeeping systems would also greatly benefit the Canadian apicultural industry in realizing healthy colonies and stable livelihoods. The Canadian Queen Breeders Guide (Bixby et al, 2018, http://honeycouncil.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/FinalQueenBreederRefer...) and a recent costing analysis case study on Canadian queen production (Bixby et al, 2020, doi:10.1093/ jee/toaa102) have demonstrated the biologic and economic viability and advantages of locally raised bees.