(IoT) offers innovative solutions that can provide new and precise information in real-time. A Bulgarian Operational Group is contributing to the digital transformation of the organic beekeeping sector, Tanya Gyuryusheva-Nikolova tells us “IoT improves efficiency and sustainability from hive management to product distribution.”

There are around 615,000 beekeepers in the EU producing collectively around 275,000 tonnes of honey every year, however this only covers 60% of European consumption (Europa). Many aspects contribute to this shortage including threats to bee health caused by diseases, climatic changes and agricultural intensification, and there are also issues related to price of honey and the supply chain due to problems with traceability and guaranteeing quality. This is seriously affecting the beekeeping sector and is a particular problem in Bulgaria where honey production has been decreasing in recent years (see here).