In 2018, the government recorded 407 beekepeers who tend to a whopping 5,778 hives in April, a number which is expected to rise to 6,582 in November, according to figures published by agriculture minister Fernand Etgen in response to a parliamentary question from MPs André Bauler and Max Hahn.

The winter of 2012-13

It marks an all-round positive progression since 2013, when there were just 291 beekeepers and 3,510. That year saw a winter loss of just over a third of the bee population in Luxembourg, the minister revealed.

“There are several explanations for this resurgence. Following the losses during the winter of 2012-2013, national and regional beekeeping organisations have made efforts to remedy the situation,” Etgen wrote, adding: “A particular effort was made to recruit and train beekeepers.”

The national federation of beekeepers also hired a professional apiculture advisor, with ministry finances, to give theory courses at a national level.

“If in the past the problems of bee deaths discouraged a number of beekeepers, it appears that media coverage of these problems has had the effect of encouraging more people to try beekeeping. For a lot of these people, the ecological aspect overrides the economic aspect,” the minister wrote.

Beekeeping in the capital is now a growing trend, with beekeepers keeping hives on the rooves of KPMG, the Sofitel Luxembourg Europe hotel and in several public parks, among other locations.

To find out more about beekeeping in Luxembourg, visit www.apis.lu