Building businesses from beekeeping

Honey and beeswax are the primary bee products which are in demand in large quantities in many different market scenarios. The demand for these products presents a clear opportunity for beekeepers to earn money from the sale of honey and beeswax.

It is common for beekeepers to sell small quantities of honey in village markets - sometimes selling by the spoonful. Others sell buckets of raw honey to beer brewers and this can provide a steady stream of income. There are many situations where small scale beekeepers could earn more from beekeeping - by accessing distant markets which require larger volumes. However they are constrained by a number of challenges and difficulties.

Bees for Development has been engaged in a number of initiatives designed to help poor African beekeepers engage with wider markets and increase their income through this wholly sustainable environmentally-positive activity.

We have been working with partners in Uganda to strengthen supply chains for honey, making it possible for more small-scale beekeepers to access better market opportunities. For more information see details of our Uganda Honey Trade Project supported by Comic Relief.

Bees for Development is a member of the African honey trade network Apitrade Africa and has supported the development of this initiative in a number of ways.

In 2008, Bees for Development worked with partners in Southern Sudan to increase understanding of the importance of honey for rural livelihoods in post-war areas. For more information see Honey and livelihoods in Sudan.

Bees for Development has worked with business organisations in Cameroon and Wales to help build the honey trade. For more information on this, includign a sort video see here.