Estonian beekeepers: poor spring threatens honey harvest

Estonia's beekeeping season in 2025 has been marked by unpredictable weather and few good foraging days. Both Andero Tank, owner of Kärma farm in Viljandi County, and Taavi Tull, head of OÜ Kumalane, report that spring conditions have not favoured honey production. Beekeepers are hoping for sunnier weather to salvage the season.

Estonian beekeepers are facing a situation where unpredictable weather and scarce sunny days have made the honey season worse than expected. Beekeepers operating in Viljandi County hope that summer will bring enough warm and dry days for bees to gather sufficient reserves for winter.

Andero Tank, owner of Kärma farm and 2024 beekeeper of the year, has noted that spring has not created favourable conditions for honey production. Good foraging days, when bees can visit flowers without hindrance, have been rare.

OÜ Kumalane head Taavi Tull, 2025 farmer of the year, shares the same concern, saying that the weather has significantly limited the bees' work. Bees need warm and calm conditions for foraging, and such days have been few and far between this year.

Beekeepers hope that the second half of summer will bring more stable and warmer weather, giving bees the chance to finish the season on a positive note.