Marketing and organic certification of honey production

The honey market has strict quality and quantity requirements. Common quality parameters used include sugar content, water insoluble solids (impurities) content, mineral content, acidity, diastase activity and the Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content. In terms of quality requirements, honey traders commonly require bulk purchases of high and consistent volumes. Such requirements present challenges to beekeepers working on their own to successfully engage into honey marketing. It is, therefore, recommended that beekeepers work together in groups or cooperatives as a prerequisite to developing a good honey supply chain. Successful marketing of organic honey will then depend on how well the different actors in the market chain are organised and closely working together.

The organic market, whether certified or not, will require the implementation of the following requirements:

• Use natural wax only (from own production) that is free of any residues for your hives.
• Work with a reasonable number of apiaries, depending on the availability of labour and forage.
• Avoid installing the apiary near agricultural areas with intensive use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and with GMO crops such as maize and soybean.
• Use natural substances only to paint the hives and make sure all treatments are according to the standards.
• Use natural and organic feed only for supplementary feeding of the bees.
• Refrain from practices that modify the natural behaviour of the bees, e.g. clipping the wings of the queen.
• Protect the hives from direct sunlight, rain and excessive heat.
• Minimise the risk of contamination and adulteration by clearly separating organic and non-organic honey and ensure traceability by properly labelling all batches.
• Use only stainless steel or food grade containers for storage.

For honey producers, who want to be certified, the specific national or international organic standards define additional requirements for production and processing of organic honey. The national organic movement or organic certification bodies operating in the country can provide further guidance and support for organic certification.