The natural honey producing population in Italy has experienced a continuous decline over the past decade. From a stable 500,000 beehives in 2013 and 2014, there has been a notable reduction in the number of beehives, standing at 284,900 in 2023. The year-on-year variation shows a consistent decrease ranging from -4.51% in 2015 to -6.62% in 2023. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last five years (2019-2023) was -6.09%.
Forecasts for the upcoming years project a further decline, with the honey producing population expected to reach 179,340 beehives by 2028, reflecting a forecasted 5-year CAGR of -7.35% and an overall forecasted growth rate of -31.73% from 2023 to 2028.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of climate change, the prevalence of diseases affecting bee populations, changes in agricultural practices, and regulatory measures. These factors will play a crucial role in either mitigating or exacerbating the decline in Italy's natural honey producing population.
