Infographics on Covid-19 and the Canadian beekeeping sector

Covid-19 has disrupted agricultural sectors across the globe including Canadian beekeepers who rely on international flows of livestock and labour. We conducted a survey of over 200 beekeepers to determine the impacts of pandemic-related disruptions in the Canadian apicultural sector in 2020. Our results highlighted two significant challenges for commercial beekeepers: access to temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and reduced importation of honeybees. Due to disrupted access to labour, stock replacement, equipment, and other materials, beekeepers were obliged to adapt their hive management practices. Beekeepers who faced shortages of imported bees relied more on locally raised bees in 2020, largely reporting better health and productivity in their colonies. However, the overall shortage of bees resulted in increased costs, decreased productivity and lower revenue. Beekeepers who hire TFWs reported experiencing cancellations and delays of worker arrivals resulting in labour shortages and consequently reduced productivity. Travel restrictions, quarantine rules, health and safety protocols, and a significant productivity gap between newly hired local workers and traditional TFWs within apiculture also increased costs and decreased output for many beekeepers. Despite these challenges, 86% of beekeepers reported that they intend to maintain or increase the number of TFWs they hire annually. In 2020, the pandemic has demonstrated vulnerabilities stemming from a reliance on foreign labour and bees, which poses risks to the economic and agricultural viability of commercial beekeeping and for pollination-dependent crops.