Some people have opted to ‘cut’ their beeswax with paraffin – a much cheaper petrochemical-derived wax. However, beeswax processors and refiners will spot this adulteration and the business relationship will be damaged beyond repair. Sometimes the adulteration is unintentional; vegetable or animal fats are sometimes used as release agents for the mould. These ‘lubricants’ are oil-based like beeswax and will easily mix and contaminate the beeswax. A small splash of water around the mould immediately before pouring can be just as effective. African beeswax is renowned for its cleanliness. Many thousands of beekeepers in Africa use local-style beehives with great success. They are able to sustainably produce comb honey, which is harvested whole and they can produce significantly more beeswax than their frame hive using counterparts. Furthermore, it is chemical-free. African beekeepers do not treat their bees and very few use foundation in their hives (if imported, foundation can bring chemical residues from treated beehives into your own.)

Why then have importers of African beeswax noticed an increase in chemical residues in their beeswax? The chemical that rears its toxic head considerably more than others is permethrin – a widely available and effective insecticide. Since the introduction of free and much-needed mosquito nets by governments across Africa, beekeepers and processors have found that these nets are an ideal, widely available and effective straining material to use when they render their beeswax. These nets are impregnated with permethrin that kills mosquitos. Because permethrin is soluble in oil such as beeswax, it mixes with the molten beeswax when it is strained through the net. There is no going back from this; residues cannot be removed once they are introduced.

Mosquito nets are not the only culprits; second-hand polypropylene sacks that could have contained pre-treated seeds for planting can contaminate beeswax when used as a filter. Moreover, even the smallest amount of residue in beeswax will fail testing. In the case of permethrin, the limit of detection is very small: only 0.1 parts per million. The result is that beekeepers and processors are devaluing their beeswax; they can still sell it, but the market for conventional beeswax has fierce competition and prices are low.

Why is it so important to tackle this issue? Many of our partners, especially in Africa, have a valuable resource at their fingertips. Sensitising beekeepers to the value of beeswax is bearing fruit. Many exhibitors present during the 10th Uganda Honey Week in Kampala were trading beeswax or were adding value to it by manufacturing, for example, cosmetics. However, there is still work to be done. Too many beekeepers still squeeze the honey out of combs and then discard the beeswax, as if it were any other waste product.

In conclusion, we need to raise awareness about the issues of chemical residues in our beeswax. This information needs to be shared among associations, groups and cooperatives. The relationships between producers and processors should allow dialogue to tackle these sorts of issues and beekeepers and processers need to find suitable alternatives. Finding the right solutions will require understanding and effort from all parties but will ensure that the trade of beeswax reaches its full potential.  

For more information about how you can ensure that your beeswax stays at its best, see our top tips.