Honey
Many beekeepers in developing countries are dependent on local middlemen to buy their honey. In a weak position, beekeepers often sell at a fraction of the real value.
Below you can find out about:
- Problems facing honey producers
- Benefits of Fairtrade for producers
- Fairtrade certified producers
- Selling Fairtrade honey
- Buying Fairtrade honey
Problems facing honey producers
Most beekeeping families live in remote locations with limited access to transport and market information.
Honey is not traded on the stock exchange. The cost depends on production costs, different climate and vegetation zones and the yield per bee colony. There have been fierce price wars on the honey market that have resulted in very low prices and beekeepers being unable to live from their income.
A large percentage of the honey that is imported into the US and Europe is produced by impoverished beekeepers in developing countries in Asia and Latin America. Most beekeeping families live in remote locations with limited access to transport and market information. Because of this many beekeepers are dependent on local middlemen to buy their honey. In a weak position, beekeepers often sell at a fraction of the real value.
Benefits of Fairtrade for producers
Fairtrade offers producers a minimum price for their honey and links beekeeper-run cooperatives directly with Fairtrade buyers, cutting out middlemen and paving the way for longer term sustainability.
Fairtrade standards for honey
Among other things, Fairtrade standards for honey ensure that:
- Producers are small family farms organized in cooperatives (or associations) which they own and govern democratically.
- The Fairtrade price is paid directly to the producer cooperatives.
- Environmental standards restrict the use of agrochemicals, ban genetically modified plants, and encourage sustainability.
- Pre-harvest lines of credit are given to the cooperatives if requested, of up to 60% of the purchase price.
- A Fairtrade Premium is included in the purchase price and is used by cooperatives for social and economic investments such as education, health services, processing equipment, and loans to members.
- No forced or child labour.
To find out more about the Fairtrade standards for honey production, please download and read the full product standard.
Fairtrade certified producers
Find out how beekeepers in Chile have benefited from Fairtrade certified here.
To find out which honey producer organizations are currently Fairtrade certified, you can check the database available on the FLO-CERT website.
Selling Fairtrade honey
If you’re interested in selling Fairtrade honey in your country, see our information about selling Fairtrade.
Buying Fairtrade honey
If you want to find out what products are available in your country, visit the website of your national Fairtrade organization.
