Polish Beekeeping Twenty Years After Joining the European Union

On May 1, 2024, twenty years passed since Poland’s accession to the European Union. This two-decade period of membership has significantly influenced the development of beekeeping in the country. EU integration provided Polish beekeepers with access to funding and support programs that facilitated the expansion of professional training, modernization of apiaries, improvement of colony health, enhancement of honey quality, and support for the restoration and improvement of bee genetic stock. The aim of this study was to assess quantitative and structural changes in Polish beekeeping based on data from 2024. During the analyzed period, the number of honeybee colonies increased to 2.42 million, while the number of registered beekeepers reached 99,000. Despite this stable production potential, the sector remains dominated by low-commercial apiaries - nearly two-thirds of beekeeping operations maintain no more than twenty colonies. The share of professional apiaries is marginal (0.7%), limiting the sector’s investment and market capacity. The average colony density is 7.7 colonies per km², with considerable regional variation reflecting spatial and structural diversity. The age profile of beekeepers is skewed toward older age groups, which may pose a long-term barrier to innovation adoption and generational succession. Despite several positive developments, the sector has shown signs of slowing growth dynamics, indicating the need for further strategic support and adaptation.