The Beekeeping Practice of Transhumance Bee Colonies—Quantitative Study of Honey Production Characteristics Based on a Questionnaire Survey in Hungary

This study examined the transhumance of bee colonies from the perspective of Hungarian beekeepers. Hungarian scientific literature on this topic is minimal. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the sustainability of the Hungarian beekeeping sector using a research method based on a survey of beekeepers. This research was based on a questionnaire (N = 1067). Basic statistical tools were used to analyse the data. To evaluate the differences between the individual category variables, we used the chi-square test for cross-stability and non-parametric tests were used. In this study, we defined four farm (apiary) size categories based on the number of bee colonies. Our results revealed statistically significant correlations between apiary size and transhumance, payment for the use of bee pastures and transhumance, as well as between the type of hive used and transhumance. Transhumance is mainly characteristic of semi-professional and professional apiaries. Hungarian beekeepers (typically small-scale and professional apiary size) traditionally give honey as a “gift” to landowners for the use of bee pastures, which is related to transhumance. In terms of the type of hive used, a significant difference can be seen between transhumance (28 kg/colony) and stationary apiaries (21 kg/colony) in the case of vertical hives.