'Not enough' bees for crop pollination as parasite takes over

Peter McDonald says many bee businesses won't survive the varroa mite crisis. (Supplied: Keely McDonald)

A new report has predicted a shortfall of close to 300,000 beehives for this year's peak crop pollination season in August, as the deadly parasite varroa mite wipes out bees.

The cost of managing varroa and the development of insecticide resistance is forcing half of Australia's beekeepers to quit.

Industry groups and researchers are developing a national strategy to secure pollination in Australia.

The Australian bee industry is warning of crop failures and a potential food crisis as the bee-killing parasite varroa mite wipes out at least 60 per cent of hives.

The spread of the parasite through eastern states and South Australia since 2022 has devastated many beekeeping businesses.

A new Pollination Security Status Report 2026, released by The Wheen Bee Foundation, warns of a shortfall of close to 300,000 commercial beehives for the peak pollination season in August.

Foundation chief executive Fiona Chambers said the impact would be "massive".

"Honey bees are particularly important for agriculture," she said.

"Almonds are one of the big, big players, but it's cherries, stone fruit, avocados, apples. It's very broad the reach of this."

Bees pollinate a range of flowering crops. (ABC News: Else Kennedy)

Honey bees contribute $14.2 billion in value to Australian agriculture, with two-thirds of production benefiting from pollination.

The prediction of a shortfall of 290,000 hives for New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia this year is modelled on overseas impacts of varroa mite.

"This is going to catch people by surprise," Ms Chambers said.

James Brownlie says there won't be enough hives to meet demand during pollination season. (ABC News: Guido Salazar)

While managed European honey bees are used to pollinate crops, Ms Chambers said wild bees are also important.

"One of the hidden findings was just how much heavy lifting our feral honey bees are currently doing for agriculture.

"With varroa mite coming into the country, we are going to lose all of those feral honey bees."

Pollination provider James Brownlie said the shortfall prediction is alarming, but it matches what he is seeing on the ground.

"It's just scary because there's so many beekeepers leaving the industry.

"There's just not going to be enough hives available to actually meet the demands," he said.

Central Victorian beekeeper and industry leader Peter McDonald believes up to half of all bee businesses could fold because of varroa mite.

Mr McDonald said