Beekeeping in Ukraine

The history of wild beekeeping in Ukraine dates back to the Middle Ages. About 1.5 percent of the population of Ukraine is engaged in various forms of beekeeping, making it one of the main honey producers in Europe. Vadim Yaniuk, a beekeeper, says: "It is a craft passed down from generation to generation and a way to preserve traditional practices... Currently, it is considered more of a cultural heritage than a commercial enterprise."