Over the past decade, Albanian farmers are increasingly shifting from traditional livestock farming toward beekeeping. This trend is driven by lower costs, higher profits, and easier management associated with beekeeping compared to raising cattle, sheep, or goats.
Decline in Livestock, Surge in Beekeeping
Official data from INSTAT shows that while the number of livestock heads has nearly halved over the last ten years, the number of beehives has more than doubled, increasing by 105% between 2014 and 2024.
In 2024, the total number of beehives in Albania reached 587,300—up 13.21% from 518,700 in 2023 alone.
Regional Growth Highlights
Vlora stands out as the region with the highest growth in beekeeping. The number of beehives there rose from 70,540 in 2023 to 103,520 in 2024, marking a remarkable 46.75% increase.
Other regions showing significant growth include:
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Durrës: 20% increase
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Dibër: 17%
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Fier: 15%
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Lezhë: 13%
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Korçë: 9%
All regions experienced growth except Gjirokastër, which saw a slight decline of 0.2%.
Why Farmers Are Choosing Beekeeping
Farmers cite several reasons for this shift. Beekeeping requires lower initial investment and can be managed effectively by small families with limited labor. Unlike livestock farming, which demands large grazing areas, permanent workers, and high feed costs, beekeeping is less resource-intensive.
Gëzimi, a beekeeper from Tropojë with over 160 hives, explains that one person can successfully manage dozens of hives. Each hive can produce up to 15 kilograms of honey annually, along with other valuable products like propolis, pollen, and beeswax—products that have seen price increases in recent years.
Furthermore, livestock farming is physically demanding, requires constant attention, and is less suitable for families affected by youth emigration. In contrast, beekeeping is more flexible, allowing time for other activities, and is easier to manage, especially for older farmers.
Another advantage is that beekeeping has less intensive veterinary and health care needs compared to livestock.
A Promising Future for Albanian Farmers
As agriculture and livestock sectors face growing challenges, beekeeping emerges as a promising and more manageable alternative for Albanian farmers. With its lower costs, increasing profitability, and adaptability, beekeeping is set to play an important role in the country’s rural economy going forward.