Beeswax Processing with the Queens of Bees
Blog by Imogen Astley Jones
Posted: 23 August 2023
Our Beekeeping Extension Agents Clara, Rejoice and Florence are undertaking an intensive training programme with Bees for Development Ghana, which includes practical lessons on keeping bees and harvesting valuable products from them.
The trainees have learned about the importance of harvesting beeswax as well as honey to increase beekeeping incomes, which they will share through their work in local communities.
Beeswax is a valuable by-product of honey production; one kilogram of beeswax can fetch a higher price than the same weight of honey! In Ghana, beekeepers harvesting honey can also harvest beeswax to process and sell.
As Rejoice says, “We take full advantage of the beeswax in addition to the honey”.
Clara, Rejoice and Florence (left to right) with locally-produced beeswax blocks.
Beeswax processing involves two stages: initial process and refining. Once the honey has been removed from the combs, the beeswax is melted and sieved before being left to cool. The wax is then refined to remove any impurities, after which it can be moulded into a desired shape. The process is simple but requires care to produce high quality, valuable beeswax for sale.
Clara says, “Having beeswax as an additional product increases the earnings of the people, thereby also improving their standard of living.”
The demand for beeswax comes from its widespread use in items such as skin and hair care products, makeup, soaps, candles, polish, paints. In Ghana, beeswax is used for printing fabrics and weaving Ghanaian Kente clothing. Beeswax is also used by beekeepers to bait new hives and attract honey bee swarms to their apiaries.
Beeswax, from comb to processed blocks to candles.
Ghanaian Kente clothing is worn at traditional gatherings, image © BBC
Beeswax can be used to bait bee hives and attract honey bee colonies.
Bees for Development Ghana has been working to encourage beekeepers to make use of their beeswax to add value to their beekeeping businesses. Prior to Bees for Development Ghana’s interventions, beekeepers would discard the combs left behind from honey extraction because they didn’t know the value of what they were throwing away.
In addition to training beekeepers to harvest and process beeswax for sale, Bees for Development Ghana have set up a Honey and Beeswax Trade Centre which purchases honeycomb from beekeepers, removing the need for them to process themselves. Beekeepers are paid for the combined product of honey and beeswax, achieving higher revenue.
Rejoice says, “Having beeswax as an additional product gives them extra income to what they already get from honey. Additional income means better nutrition, better accommodation, better access to health care and ability to take care of their children in school.”
The ‘Motorbikes for the Queens of Bees’ campaign aims to raise £10,000 to purchase motorbikes for Clara, Rejoice and Florence to use in their day-to-day work as Beekeeping Extension Agents. Motorbikes will help them more quickly and regularly reach the communities they are supporting, allowing them to more easily share the knowledge
To learn more and support the Queens of Bees, please visit our fundraising page at https://www.beesfordevelopment.org/motorbikes/.
