Archive · 23 Aug 2025
India's Honey Trade: Challenges and The 'Lazy' Bees
Some people think bees get lazy from eating sugar, but that's not the whole story.
In commercial beekeeping, bees are fed sugar when flowers aren't around.
This gives them energy, but they still work hard when there are flowers.
The honey business is big in India, with lots of honey going to the US.
But, beekeepers are facing challenges like low prices and trade issues, making their future uncertain.
The type of bees used for honey are delicate and need more care than native bees.
Bees are fed sugar solutions during lean months in commercial beekeeping, known as the akaal period.
Sugar provides energy but is not used to make honey, and bees will work when put near flowering crops.
The exotic Apis mellifera species is the mainstay of commercial honey production, but is delicate.
India exported honey worth ₹1,750 crore in 2024-25, with most going to the US.
Beekeepers face an uncertain future due to collapsed prices and tariffs.
- Who
- The article focuses on beekeepers, honey producers, and the honey trade, including the author's interviews with growers and beekeepers.
- What
- An investigation into the practices and challenges of India's honey industry.
- When
- The article discusses practices and market conditions in the honey industry as of the time of writing, and highlights data from 2024-2025.
- Where
- India, specifically Bihar, Rajasthan, and the Himalayas, with major exports to the United States.
- Why
- To explore the impact of beekeeping practices, the challenges in the industry, and the role of bees in crop yields and exports.
Industry Concerns
Current Market Practices
Challenges
Industry Concerns
Overuse of chemicals on crops and practices that lead to poor-quality fruits.
Current Market Practices
Focus on increasing honey exports and slow growth in domestic demand.
- Honey Export Value (2024-25)
- ₹1,750 crore
- Main Honey Export Destination
- United States
- Main Bee Species in Commercial Production
- Apis mellifera
- Term for Lean Months
- Akaal period
- Expert's Opinion
- Bablu Saini is now a guru to many novice beekeepers.