Dutch beekeepers lost nearly one quarter of their honeybee colonies during the 2025-2026 winter, continuing a troubling four-year streak of elevated die-off rates. The 24% mortality figure comes from the annual survey of Dutch beekeepers, the primary monitoring system for colony health in the Netherlands.
Winter losses have now exceeded 20% for four consecutive years, signaling a worsening trend in honeybee survival. The Netherlands typically experiences natural winter mortality, but beekeepers consider rates above 15% problematic. The current trajectory suggests beekeepers face mounting challenges in maintaining healthy colonies through cold months.
Regional variation was pronounced across the country. The northern province of Groningen experienced the worst losses at 41.5%, while Overijssel in the east recorded the lowest at 16.9%. This geographic disparity suggests that local environmental factors, weather patterns, or beekeeping practices influence survival rates differently by region.
Winter mortality in honeybees stems from multiple causes. Poor nutrition from inadequate autumn foraging, parasitic mite infestations, disease, and cold stress all contribute to colony collapse. Varroa destructor mites pose particular concern, as they weaken bees and spread viruses. Climate variability, including erratic spring temperatures and reduced flowering periods, compounds these pressures.
The escalating losses have economic consequences for Dutch beekeeping operations, which rely on colonies for pollination services and honey production. Many small-scale beekeepers struggle to rebuild populations after severe winter losses, requiring significant investment in new queens and supplemental feeding.
The Netherlands participates in broader European monitoring networks tracking bee health. Similar winter mortality patterns appear across multiple European countries, suggesting continent-wide pressures on honeybee populations. These losses occur alongside documented declines in wild bee species, intensifying concerns about pollinator availability for agricultural crops and wild plants.