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.
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."