Australian beekeepers struggling with poor season as La Niña, climate change take a toll

After a promising start the summer honey season has turned out more bitter than sweet for apiarists across the country.

In South Australia, La Niña’s cool but dry weather conditions provided less pollen and nectar for bees.

Tintinara-based producer Ben Hooper said his honey yields had dropped 40 per cent below average in what has been a “frustrating” year.

“Typically, when La Niña dials up for us in the apiary industry it produces pretty good results,” he said.

“But it’s been a bitter pill to swallow — it just didn’t quite happen for…