30/08/2026 - 9:00 GMT+2
Prolonged drought and successive heatwaves have wiped out natural sources of nectar and pollen in Hungary, leaving bees facing starvation.
The pollen shortage could affect as much as 80% of the country's bee population, warns the National Hungarian Beekeeping Association (OMME). Experts have also alerted the ministry responsible for agriculture and food policy to the crisis.
Pollen is the most important protein source for bee colonies. It's essential for raising young bees and helping them develop properly. Without it, honey yields suffer—and colonies' chances of surviving winter are directly threatened.
For weeks, around 80% of Hungary's bees have had little or no access to natural pollen. The drought has made things worse: even the damp areas and riverbanks that normally still supply food for bees in late summer have dried up this year.
