The summer drought is heavily impacting the 2026 honey harvest

The summer drought is heavily impacting the 2026 honey harvest. Henri Clément, a beekeeper from Lozère and spokesperson for the French National Beekeeping Union (Unaf), notes that harvests are increasingly erratic and depend annually on the climate. Unaf estimates French production between 18,000 and 20,000 tonnes this year, compared to 23,000 to 25,000 tonnes in 2025, a 20-year record, based on data from members and traders.

The interprofessional organization InterApi estimates the 2026 harvest at about 33,700 tonnes, 5,000 tonnes less than in 2025, based on a survey of 986 beekeepers. Despite differing figures, both groups agree on the causes. The mild and wet winter of 2025-26 allowed bee colonies to resume activity early, with well-hydrated vegetation, according to Unaf.