ALMOND producer Select Harvests says it is in the process of securing its beehive requirements from beekeepers within respective local areas.
The company, which has orchards in north-west Victoria, southern New South Wales and South Australia, said that in the event of a shortage, it would need to mitigate the impact of the lower stocking rates through more forensic hive placement.
Select Harvests Limited managing director Paul Thompson said that while it appeared the current varroa mite incursion has been contained, the company was actively managing the situation and has put in place mitigation strategies to support the 2023 crop pollination.
“Global demand for almonds continues to remain strong, with the potential for tighter supply following the lower-than-expected objective forecast for the 2022 Californian almond crop and continued strong shipment numbers,” Mr Thompson said.
“Select Harvests is focused on processing the remainder of our 2022 crop and delivering another record crop in 2023,” he said.
Mr Thompson said it was increasingly likely that there would be potential restrictions on moving hives both across state borders and within states.
“With 50 per cent of the pollinating industry’s hives in NSW, a potential shortage in Victoria and South Australia is looking like a reality,” he said.
“Effective almond pollination is determined by flower density, synchronisation, and bee flight hours.
“Historically we have been able to produce good nut set and crops even with one of these factors being negatively impacted by nature.
“Despite extensive research, it is impossible to accurately predict the individual impact of these three influencers.”
Mr Thompson said that despite the setbacks, the 2023 crop was progressing well with good tree health and sufficient chill hours as pollination approaches in August.
“Our 2023 growing costs are expected to increase due to higher fertiliser and chemicals costs, with water prices expected to remain low,” he said.
“We are reducing costs that are within our control, while maintaining our current horticulture program in order to maximise 2023 crop volume and maintain long term tree health.
“A national meeting of stakeholders and affected industry partners continue to meet to agree hive management protocols, to facilitate upcoming pollination requirements of horticulture crops, including almonds.”
The NSW Government announced a plan to allow beehives in the state to be moved.
Under the plan, commercial beekeepers will be able to apply for permits to move their hives inside NSW, so long as they are outside a 50km radius of sites where varroa mite has been detected.
But the Victorian Government has banned all NSW-based bees from entering the state, which could still result in a shortfall of 80,000 hives for the pollination of Victorian almond orchards.
Almond Board of Australia chief executive Tim Jackson said while he welcomed the NSW permit system, more solutions were needed to meet shortfalls at Victorian-based orchards.
Mr Jackson has pushed for the creation of a biosecurity bubble to facilitate pollination in Victorian parts of Sunraysia using NSW-based beehives.
The proposal would create “bubbles” for remote orchards along the Murray River and would allow these sites to be exclusively serviced by NSW beehives, which are situated outside emergency zones.
Mr Jackson said he understood the concerns of some beekeepers about exposing their hives to potential carriers of varroa mite.
“We understand there is reluctance from beekeepers outside NSW to put their hives in the same orchards as NSW hives, so creating a designated orchards exclusively stocked with NSW beehives seems like the most sensible solution,” Mr Jackson said.
