Biobest reports up to 50% yield increase in avocado trials with bumblebee pollination

Biobest Group, a Belgium-based provider of biological crop protection and pollination solutions, said its bumblebee hives helped increase avocado yields by as much as 50% in field trials, pointing to a new approach for addressing pollination shortfalls in the crop.

The company conducted trials in Spain and Turkey in coordination with universities. Researchers found that trees near bumblebee hives produced 30% to 50% more fruit on average, without reductions in fruit size. In some cases, yield more than doubled compared to trees farther from hives.

“Avocado growers face the challenge of ensuring their orchards are properly pollinated for adequate fruit set,” said Jorden van de Walle, Biobest’s pollination product manager. “Our bumblebee hives offer a practical, proven way to boost fruit production, even in adverse weather.”

Avocado flowers open twice—first to expose female parts, then again to release pollen—making pollination particularly complex. While honeybees and wasps are present in many orchards, their inconsistent interest in avocado blooms limits effectiveness, Biobest said.

Bumblebees, in contrast, are less likely to be distracted by competing floral sources and are more active during cooler or cloudy conditions. The company recommends placing 8 to 12 hives per hectare for optimal coverage.

Van de Walle added that even if bumblebees are not always visible in trees, their presence appears to increase overall pollination activity, potentially due to competitive behavior among insect species.

A 30% yield increase translates to an additional 7 to 20 tons of avocados per hectare, according to Biobest.