Azerbaijan lost about 111,000 bee colonies over three years, a decline of nearly 17%, as beekeepers reported mounting losses from disease, pesticides and climate-related pressures.
The number of bee colonies fell from 656,100 at the start of 2023 to 545,100 in 2026, according to Azerbaijan’s State Statistics Committee. The decrease was 16.9%.
Beekeepers interviewed for an Azerbaijani television report said the national figures reflect severe losses in some local operations. Pavel Bagrov, a longtime beekeeper from Zagatala, linked the decline to the spread of disease, varroa mites and the uncontrolled use of agricultural chemicals.
Some Beekeepers Report Losses of Up to 60%
Bagrov said farmers in some villages spray crops with insecticides without warning nearby beekeepers. Bees may be killed by direct exposure or carry contaminated water from soil and waterways back to their hives.
He said his operation lost about 20% of its colonies last year, twice the level he considers tolerable. Other participants in the report said losses reached as high as 60% at some farms. Rebuilding colonies after damage on that scale can take several years.
Experts Warn Against Unsafe Treatment Advice
Industry specialists also pointed to unqualified treatment advice circulating on social media. Some users recommend formic or oxalic acid without accounting for dosage, temperature or treatment duration. Experts warned that improper use can kill large numbers of bees rather than protect them.
Participants in the report said Azerbaijan needs more trained specialists who can advise farmers on hive diseases, treatment and prevention.
Lawmakers Seek More Support
The decline has also reached parliament. A representative of the Milli Majlis Committee on Agrarian Policy called for expanded state support, including subsidies for colony maintenance, assistance with honey production and help reaching international markets.
Beekeeping remains labor-intensive, while producers also face limited domestic demand for their products.
Ministry Points to More Productive Breeds
The Agriculture Ministry said fewer colonies do not automatically mean lower honey output. It noted that Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 116, adopted in December 2025, allowed the import of queen bees from more productive breeds.
According to the ministry, local breeds produce an average of about 10 kilograms, or 22 pounds, of honey per colony, while more productive breeds can yield 15 to 20 kilograms.
The ministry said specialists at the Republican Beekeeping Center offer training on proper hive management. Beekeepers, however, said training alone will not resolve the broader threat from chemical exposure, disease and colony deaths. They argue that policy should focus on preventing losses as well as raising output per hive.
Sources: Vesti Baku; Azerbaijan State Statistics Committee; original television report.