Beekeeping activities and consumption of beekeeping products by beekeepers under the pandemic conditions

Abstract

The study was carried out in 2021 to examine infection rates with the new coronavirus (COVID-19), consumption of beekeeping products and beekeeping activities for the beekeepers who are directly exposed to bee venom or the ones who consume different beekeeping products during the pandemic period. At the same time, the rates of beekeepers affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection were also determined. Approximately 90% of the beekeepers (n = 147) who participated in the survey reported that they were not affected by SARS-CoV-2. Those not infected with COVID-19 (n = 134) had been beekeepers for an average of 17.85 years and they went to their apiary once a week (79.1%). They did not apply any treatment against bee stings (80.6%). Their personal honey consumption per month was between 750-1000 g (41.8%) and they consumed the most pollen among other beekeeping products (58.2%). The number of beekeepers who were not infected with COVID-19 was 21 (15.7%) although they contacted family members infected. There were no statistical differences in terms of AB0-blood types between the beekeepers who were infected with SARS-CoV-2, those who were not infected despite close contact the infected family members, and those who were not infected (P >0.05). Approximately 76% of the beekeepers (n = 147) who participated in the survey and 53% of the beekeepers (n = 13) infected with the SARS-CoV-2 stated that their beekeeping activities were not affected by the pandemic. During the pandemic, the products most demanded by consumers from these beekeepers were honey, pollen and propolis, respectively. This study revealed that the beekeeping activities and the consumption habits of beekeeping products by the beekeepers during the pandemic were not affected.