Bees play a crucial role in pollinating many of the fruit and vegetables we eat. But most bee populations around the world are under attack from a parasite that’s devastating colonies and bee-related industries. Except in Australia, one of the last remaining places where bees are parasite-free and thriving, as CGTN’s Greg Navarro reports.

Australia is free from the varroa mite, which plagues bee populations around the world. That’s important in a country where honey bees are responsible for pollinating up to 6 billion Australian dollars (4.47 billion US dollars) worth of crops. 

However, Australia’s bee population still faces challenges, such as unpredictable weather conditions, forcing some bee keepers to move their hives south in order to produce stronger bee hives in better conditions. 

In Australia, there is a shortage of bees, including honey bees, not because of some invasive species found in hives but because fewer and fewer people are willing to get into the industry. The beekeeping industry is aging, and beekeepers are having difficulty recruiting young people to take over the business.