Almost all of the world’s almond production comes from California. For there to be enough bees to pollinate the almond blossoms, beekeepers bring in truckloads of hives from across the country.
In the spring, thousands of white crates are placed on the edge of the orchards in the Central Valley. “The price of bees has gone up with the price of almonds,” says beekeeper Chris Hiatt. “Twenty years ago it was $30 to rent a beehive. Now it’s $200.”
Over this same period, the area of almond trees has tripled in California, which supplies 80% of the world’s almond production. Water-hungry trees, but also bees.
Side by side, two almond orchards, some dead, others green, in 2015. California produces most of the almonds consumed in the world. A water-hungry intensive culture. [Lucy Nicholson – REUTERS]
Economic boom
To meet all the demand, Chris Hiatt’s company operates up to 20,000 hives. He makes his insects travel all over the country. “They will pollinate the almonds, then in a month and a half, they will go to Washington State for the apples, others will stay here for the orange trees”, explains the beekeeper. “Then they will all go to spend the summer in North Dakota”.
The queens are imported from Hawaii. Each year, in February, the crates are transported by truck. This makes between 400 and 500 hives per trailer.
Farmers are willing to pay a heavy price because California doesn’t have enough bees for all of its orchards. “The almond industry has grown to such an extent that virtually every beekeeper in the United States brings their bees to California,” notes farmer Jason Erickson. “And we’re paying so much that it’s worth coming from Florida to spend six weeks pollinating here, before coming back home.”
Bees fly around a beehive in Los Banos, California in 2014. [JUSTIN SULLIVAN – GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP]
Hecatomb for more than ten years
Every winter, the old hives are cleaned. The losses are significant. The American bee population suffers from pesticides, but also from parasites from Asia.
“My father lost 5 to 10% of bees each winter. But now, with the parasites, we lose more than 40% per winter, this has been the new deal for 15 years”, laments Chris Hiatt.
For the beekeeper, the survival of bees is also a geopolitical issue: “The United States does not want to import more food. With the Covid, the empty stalls and the difficulties in the supply chain, we realize how much we need healthy bees.” Bees that also ensure food security and the independence of the United States.
TV report: Gaspard Kühn
Adaptation web: ami