Crop pollination

Bumblebees as commercial pollinators: risks and opportunities

Although bumblebees are now established across Tasmania, they still carry their original status as exotic environmental pests and so their use for commercial purposes is prohibited.

Unlike European honey bees, bumblebees are not susceptible to varroa mite, so their commercialisation for pollination services may be a valuable tool for fruit growers into the future.

At the 2025 Fruit Growers Tasmania industry conference, Dr Jon Finch, from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, outlined the Hort Innovation Frontiers project on bumblebees as effective pollinators in Tasmania (PH23001).

Pollination Guide for the Australian Berry Industry

The Berries Australia Pollination Guide for the Australian Berry Industry 2024 is a best management practices guide for growers and pollination stakeholders in the berry industry. It provides guidance on how to establish and maintain clear communication between parts of your business and your beekeeper. It includes a detailed list of key conversations to have, roles and responsibilities.

It also includes templates for pollination agreements and letters to neighbours.

Access the guide here: Pollination Guide for the Australian Berry Industry

Pollination: unresolved questions

Dr Jon Finch, part of the team at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) researching honeybee pollination and alternative pollinators, presented at the 2023 Fruit Growers Conference.

Jon highlighted the importance of combining pest and pollinator research (IPPM) rather than considering them as separate issues and instead manage them holistically.