Beekeepers have produced enough honey in the last year, but their mood is gloomy because of honey from third countries and the resulting price drop. Many beekeepers are thinking of going out of business because of the difficulties caused by imported products. The chairman of the Panevėžys Beekeepers' Association, Vaidas Arbutavičius, told us more about this.

– How do you evaluate last year's honey harvest?

– In some regions, there was a lack of moisture at certain times and yields were lower. In other regions, there was enough moisture and warmth, so beekeepers boasted that they got a lot of honey. It is very important to consider the beekeepers' environment. Where there is a lot of cultivated crops (rape, buckwheat), – the yields are higher, where there are natural meadows and forests, – the yields are much lower. But this is the situation every year. Since spring, the weather has allowed beekeepers to work. I haven't heard them complain about low yields, but some people say – it's like every year, others say – it's a better year.

– Is it true that some Lithuanian beekeepers are stopping beekeeping because of the importation from third countries?

– I know of an apiary with 200 hives that was closed by a man. When you have 50 hives – you can run in, you can still inspect and take care of them at weekends, but 200 hives need constant maintenance. When honey prices are down, it's hard to stay afloat, because you just can't do any other work.

Where is the best place to sell your honey? Where do you sell your honey?

– Over the years, I have built up contacts with supermarkets, small shops and the foreign market. I take part in fairs, including the Christmas one – where I present my own products. I meet local people. Because I have served my honey everywhere, if one place closes, there are others that are successful. I have been working since 2000 and I have my own e-shop. I'm always looking for new contacts, and I'm delighted if a shop buys even ten jars of my honey a year.