A beekeeper can sell several honey bee products to help develop a sustainable apiary business. The first one everyone thinks about is honey, but there are variations of honey.
- Unfiltered honey is sought out by health conscious consumers.
- Pure ultra filtered honey can go for a premium price.
- Infused Honey cannot be sold as honey, but a honey bee product, but is something that many consumers want.
- Then there is honey from different sources. Blueberry and Buckwheat honey are popular. We sell wildflower and ‘riverbank’ honey.
- Honey in the comb, or comb in the honey (chunky honey) are favorites for honey lovers who want something different.
Pollen
The best tasting pollen is in the spring. We find that tree pollen sells well.
Pollen has different grades. Some people want a light golden pollen. Health food stores want a multi colored pollen.
This product needs to be cleaned and dried, or frozen. The frozen is the healthiest.
Consumers are just now learning about the benefits of Propolis. As beekeepers we cannot make medical claims of our products, but we can offer a good product.
At this moment I do not know of a place to sell propolis wholesale, or anyone who processes it, but selling it frozen might be a good direct marketing product.
Mead
If you want to try your hand at something different, Mead may interest you. This sweet alcohol is gaining a growing consumer base.
Honey Comb
Honey in the comb is a very sought after product. Whether you let the bees build comb in a jar, and then fill it with honey, or you use special ‘frames’ for the bees to fill, if you are selling at markets then this is one product that should be on your table.
Honey Butter – Creamed Honey
Some people prefer a creamy honey instead of a liquid. There is more work in making these products, but they are worth the effort.
Bees Wax
This honey bee product can be used to make bee foundation, candles, cosmetics, lip balm, hand cream, and many more products.
It can also be used to coat beehives and wax frames. Bee waxed frames (drawn out) are worth gold in an apiary. Do not bee in a rush to sell it.
Some beekeepers will use old bees wax. Other beekeepers will not use dark bees wax. All bees wax can be filtered until it is bright yellow. But, this doesn’t mean it is safe for your beehives. Do not buy old was from another apiary. It might bring disease. However, selling dark wax to crafters or processers is 100% okay.
Selling Bees – Nucs and Queens
No matter how small you are, you will end up needing to sell or trade queen cells, nucs, and maybe even a spare hive.
However, if you do this, only do it between friends who are in your local area. If in doubt, contact your local inspector. The permits are free. The inspectors are friendly and helpful.
If you ‘sell’ nucs and queens you legally must have a permit from the provincial inspectors. Even if you only sell a few each year.
