Francis Ratnieks, a professor of apiculture at Sussex University who has worked on the state's almond farms, says the crop is so large and intensively grown these days that it has greatly surpassed the region's inherent ability to supply pollinators.

ECONOMIST: Agriculture: The bees are back in town | The

According to The National Union of French Apiculture, or Unaf, the increase in honey imports has encouraged an illegal multi-million euro market of honey coming mainly from China, which, at 350, 000 tons per year, has become the largest honey producer in the world.

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