MAIA: evolution of the situation in the Moldovan beekeeping sector
According to the data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food MAIA, at the moment there are about 265 thousand bee families in the Republic of Moldova. In 2025, the beekeeping sector will produce about 5 thousand tons of honey (note LP, the estimate of the National Association of Beekeepers of Moldova ANARM is more modest – about 3 thousand tons of honey).
Moldovan honey exports have returned to a positive trend in the last two years. In 2025, the country exported 4518 tons of honey, including 4140 tons to the European Union (9% increase compared to the figure for 2024). The financial estimate of honey exports last year was $13.566 million, 27% more than in 2024. Of this amount, about $12 million was for shipments to the European Union, MAIA said in a statement on the occasion of today’s milestone.
To support the development of beekeeping, the MAIA ministry, through the AIPA Agriculture Interventions and Payments Agency, subsidized the purchase of more than 8,500 bee families by beekeepers in 2025 under the special livestock modernization pillar. Support for the beekeeping sector will continue in 2026. To date, the costs of more than 10 thousand bee families have been subsidized.
“The end of May is one of the most active periods in beekeeping. During swarming, part of the bees leave the colony with the mate to form a new family. Swarming may stop temporarily in trees, fences, buildings or other public places. The bees are generally not aggressive unless disturbed. If you notice a swarm of bees in town or near your home, keep your distance, don’t try to chase it away, and report it to a local beekeeper or to ANARM (069142943; 069194701). Specialists will be able to safely take control of the swarm and move it to a suitable location,” MAIA said.
ANARM: first honey harvests-2026 modest, but the “strength of bee families” has increased
ANARM director Ion Maxim told LP that in April-May this year the weather conditions for honey harvest were not the best. For this reason – and perhaps also due to the specific genetics of modern hybrids – relatively little honey was collected from rapeseed plantations. However, the first honey harvest was beneficial in terms of bee family development – afterwards, at least in some regions, weak bee families became stronger.
In the next few days, the honey collection will start with flowering Acacia. This spring, this tree species suffered to some extent from frosts, especially in lowlands. However, unlike last year, Moldova will have fresh acacia honey in 2026.
