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The Beekeeping Practice of Transhumance Bee Colonies—Quantitative Study of Honey Production Characteristics Based on a Questionnaire Survey in Hungary

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  • Aliz Feketéné Ferenczi

    (Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Andrea Bauerné Gáthy

    (Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • István Szűcs

    (Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Angéla Kovácsné Soltész

    (Institute of Methodology and Business Digitalisation, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

Abstract

This study examined the transhumance of bee colonies from the perspective of Hungarian beekeepers. Hungarian scientific literature on this topic is minimal. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the sustainability of the Hungarian beekeeping sector using a research method based on a survey of beekeepers. This research was based on a questionnaire (N = 1067). Basic statistical tools were used to analyse the data. To evaluate the differences between the individual category variables, we used the chi-square test for cross-stability and non-parametric tests were used. In this study, we defined four farm (apiary) size categories based on the number of bee colonies. Our results revealed statistically significant correlations between apiary size and transhumance, payment for the use of bee pastures and transhumance, as well as between the type of hive used and transhumance. Transhumance is mainly characteristic of semi-professional and professional apiaries. Hungarian beekeepers (typically small-scale and professional apiary size) traditionally give honey as a “gift” to landowners for the use of bee pastures, which is related to transhumance. In terms of the type of hive used, a significant difference can be seen between transhumance (28 kg/colony) and stationary apiaries (21 kg/colony) in the case of vertical hives.

Suggested Citation

  • Aliz Feketéné Ferenczi & Andrea Bauerné Gáthy & István Szűcs & Angéla Kovácsné Soltész, 2025. "The Beekeeping Practice of Transhumance Bee Colonies—Quantitative Study of Honey Production Characteristics Based on a Questionnaire Survey in Hungary," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:13:p:1405-:d:1690591
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goodrich, Brittney K., 2019. "Do more bees imply higher fees? Honey bee colony strength as a determinant of almond pollination fees," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 150-160.
    2. Yulu Hou & Zhijun Zhao & Haibin Dong & Jiliang Ma & Yun Gao, 2024. "Beekeeping Behavior of Chinese Beekeepers Shows Spatial Contraction," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Aliz Feketéné Ferenczi & István Szűcs & Andrea Bauerné Gáthy, 2023. "Economic Sustainability Assessment of a Beekeeping Farm in Hungary," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Ionica Soare, 2020. "Some Aspects Regarding the Transhumance of the Romanian Beekeepers, Members of the Black Sea Basin Network," Economics and Applied Informatics, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 3, pages 119-128.
    5. Aliz Feketéné Ferenczi & Angéla Kovácsné Soltész & István Szűcs & Andrea Bauerné Gáthy, 2024. "Current Situation of Honey-Producing Apiaries—Quantitative Study of Honey Production Characteristics Based on a Questionnaire Survey in Hungary," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, November.
    6. Aliz Feketéné Ferenczi & István Szűcs & Andrea Bauerné Gáthy, 2024. "“What’s Good for the Bees Will Be Good for Us!”—A Qualitative Study of the Factors Influencing Beekeeping Activity," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, June.
    7. Monica Vercelli & Luca Croce & Teresina Mancuso, 2020. "An Economic Approach to Assess the Annual Stock in Beekeeping Farms: The Honey Bee Colony Inventory Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-14, November.
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