Beekeepers are mounting a campaign for greater access to national parks in New South Wales after catastrophic fires destroy millions of hectares of flowering trees in regular foraging areas.

Key points: Beekeepers are desperate to find new nectar and pollen sources after bushfires burn native flowering gums

Beekeepers are desperate to find new nectar and pollen sources after bushfires burn native flowering gums NSW apiarists say it will take up to 10 years for honey production to recover from the fires

NSW apiarists say it will take up to 10 years for honey production to recover from the fires There is concern also for Australia's $1 billion almond industry, which is totally reliant upon bees for cross-pollination

They expect it could take between five and 20 years for some flowering gums to fully recover, and to produce enough nectar and pollen to feed the bees.

Stephen Targett from the NSW Apiarists Association said thousands of hives — housing many millions of bees — had also been destroyed.

"These fires will lower NSW honey production by about 30 per cent for at least the next 10 years … and we're the largest honey-producing state in Australia," he said.

One insurer alone reported beekeepers affected by the Dunns Road fire near Tumut could have lost more than 6,000 hives.

South Australia has reported losing 3,000 hives on Kangaroo Island and in the Adelaide Hills fires before Christmas.

While the beehives can be rebuilt easily, the remaining bees will be weak and hungry.

Beekeepers fear after the fires on the NSW South Coast, trees may take up to 20 years to flower again. ( ABC Illawarra: Jake Lapham )

Prime forest country burnt

Mr Targett said the South Coast bushfires had a massive impact upon bees.

"Beekeepers had hives among grey ironbark [near Bermagui] when the fires came, and they worked all night to move the bees out of there to blackbutt [forests near Eden]," he said.

"Then a few nights later, they had to come and move them because that resource was getting burned as well."

Apiarists say 5,000 hives and millions of bees have been burnt in the fires this season across NSW. ( Supplied: Australia's Manuka )

Mr Targett welcomed the 60 tonnes of bee sugar that was available for apiarists in NSW to keep bees alive.

"Sugar syrup — we're supporting the Australian sugar industry — so there's a silver lining for someone," he said.

But he said more help was needed.

Almond pollination at risk

The $1 billion almond industry has joined the Honeybee Industry Council and NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall to call for access to more national parks to feed and strengthen bees for the task of pollination starting at the end of July.

Burnt spotted gums line the highway after the Currowan fire, which destroyed more than 300,000 hectares. ( ABC Illawarra: Jake Lapham )

"Our concern is the beekeepers who supply the pollination service and use the national parks for floral resources," Almond Board of Australia chair Neale Bennett said.

Almond growers pay more than $100 per hive for the six-week pollination and the bees need to be healthy and strong to cope with the task.

"Not only now, but any hives that are in the parks and for the future — for the regeneration of pollination sources," Mr Bennett said.

Almonds are entirely dependent on bees to do the essential cross-pollination.

The almond industry, which is now Australia's largest horticultural export, has doubled production since 2012. Last year, it produced 104,000 tonnes — worth $700 million in exports.

The almond industry has joined apiarists in calling for access to unburnt national parks ahead of the almond pollination season. ( ABC Rural: Grace Whiteside )

National picture

Honeybee Industry Council chair Peter McDonald was worried about access for bees to flowering trees nationally.

Peter McDonald, the chairman of the Australia Honey Bee Industry Council ( ABC News )

He said agriculture more broadly was reliant on honeybee pollination, which was worth $15 billion annually, with the value of honey around $120 million a year.

"In Victoria and Tasmania, access to national parks is easier with state governments recognising the important role of bees to pollination," he said.

But it is harder in NSW and Queensland.

"NSW imposes restrictions on new bee sites in national parks, while the Queensland Government has a plan afoot to remove bee sites from all national parks by 2024," Mr McDonald said.

The office of NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean has been contacted for comment.

Public appeal to gardeners

After years of drought, trees had stopped flowering in parts of the NSW South Coast.

Illawarra beekeeper David West suggested gardeners grow more flowering plants and set up bird baths for bees.

"Generally you have to fill a bowl with pebbles or sponges to make sure the bees don't drown," Mr West said.

There aren't many bee brokers in Australia, but their services are essential. ( Creative Commons )

NSW beekeepers can access free feed by calling the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

And beekeepers have appealed to the public to help the best way they can.

"If people want to help us, buy Australian honey," Mr Targett said.