Algarve beekeepers in second year of drought slam lack of State support

Beekeeping in the Algarve is facing its second year of difficulties due to drought and increased production costs, without counting on any support from the ministry of agriculture, the beekeepers’ association of the eastern Algarve (Melgarbe) has been telling Lusa. Association president Manuel Francisco explains “Portuguese beekeeping (has) never had support (…), never had serious and effective recognition from those who govern us and every day creates more problems and more difficulties to maintain bee colonies and meet the commitments that we also have with the fruit farming sector.” It is not commonly known but, he said, it is he beekeepers from the Algarve who take hives to pollinate the almond trees in the Alentejo, the avocados from the Algarve and the berries being produced in hectares of greenhouses along Costa Vicentina.