Beekeeping as a Business in South Africa

What are the risks? It it worth starting a Beekeeping Business in South Africa?

The South African Beekeeping Industry has an estimated turnover of R3.2 billion, an anticipated growth value of R20 billion – with pollination being the most lucrative sector.

The Beekeeping Industry is contending with imported “honey” that increased over 1000%, an aging and dwindling number of beekeepers, lack of forage sites, gross vandalism, intentional illegal use of pesticides by farmers, bee parasites and the removal of Eucalyptus trees required to ensure sustainable maintenance of bee colonies for the critical pollination process.

Given all the challenges – is beekeeping still a viable Business Proposition in South Africa? Well, our food security of South Africa is absolutely dependent on honeybees, as result: for every item on the list of challenges – people and institutions are engaging to make sure that a more conducive environment are developed.

As for attending to established beekeepers and new entrants wanting to optimize their beekeeping potential within the South African Beekeeping industry : Who require greater knowledge for developing bee forage strategies, insights into technologies and sustainable hive management practices to ensure optimal honey production or/and pollination services, as well as insights into relevant grants and funding available – The Sustainable Beekeeper has been created. An online magazine exploring the business of beekeeping in South Africa.

Subscribe to The Sustainable Beekeeper, join our public Beekeeping Business Facebook group and to optimize your beekeeping potential!