Honey Supply Research Articles

A Consumer-Centric Approach for a Sustainable Honey Supply Chain: The Case of Strawberry Tree Honey

The consumption of honey has gained significant attention in recent years due to its numerous health benefits. It is important to understand the role of consumers in the honey supply chain, as their preferences have a substantial impact on industry practices. Consumer demand for high-quality, safe, and sustainable honey encourages producers to improve transparency and sustainability in their operations. This consumer-centric approach is essential for creating strong connections between supply chain stakeholders and end-users, promoting a more sustainable food system. This study centres on strawberry tree honey, which is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and antimicrobial activities. It explores the key factors driving consumer choices in strawberry tree honey and evaluates their impact across the entire supply chain. A survey examined consumer preferences for conventional honey and organic strawberry tree honey, revealing a clear trend toward sustainable options. The findings highlighted the significant impact of consumer behaviour on driving sustainable practices within the honey supply chain. This study also shed light on consumers’ perceptions of organic strawberry tree honey and their connection to the entire supply chain. These findings support previous studies on organic products, demonstrating the crucial link between consumer choices for organic honey and the sustainability of the supply chain.

Managing Fraud in Food Supply Chains: The Case of Honey Laundering

Recent food fraud incidents have highlighted the need to manage fraud risks in food supply chains. However, there is little research on how to manage these risks. Our study helps to alleviate this issue by examining food fraud risk management in the Asia–Pacific honey supply chain. We conducted interviews about existing food fraud risk management practices. We then used the Gioia method to generate a framework of these management practices, which expanded the “Six Ts” framework by adding a seventh dimension of Tolerance to this extant framework. Next, we empirically examined this novel Seven Ts framework. We found that managers treat many of these risk management practice dimensions as substitutes rather than complements. Our findings and managerial guidance are practically relevant for food companies. Lastly, we believe that, by implementing some of these suggestions theoretically generated and empirically validated by our framework, food supply chains may become more sustainable.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Honey Production: Two-Year Survey in Italian Beekeeping Farms

The objective of this study was to quantify the climate change (CC) impact of the honey supply chain in different beekeeping systems and farms, over two consecutive years. The CC impact category is quantified as kg CO2 equivalent and it evaluates the GHG emissions, mainly CO2, N2O, and CH4. The results ranged from 0.44 to 3.18 (p = 0.039) kg CO2e/kg honey with higher values in 2021 than 2020. The main contributors to climate change of the honey supply chain are represented by transport and supplemental feeding inputs. The beekeeping system (migratory or stationary) influenced CC: the contribution to CC for stationary farms was estimated at 0.58 kg CO2e/kg honey and 2.48 for migratory ones (p < 0.001). Given the close connection between honey yield and LCA results due to the unit of measurement of impact, i.e., kg of honey produced, an index was developed (wildflower honey climate index) as a simple benchmark tool for prediction of honey yield in the survey context. Using the data from the present study, we found that the index is positively related to honey yield (r = 0.504; p < 0.05) but negatively related to supplemental feeding (r = -0.918; p < 0.01) and overall carbon footprint (r = -0.657; p < 0.05). Further studies are needed to better explain the effects of weather on honey production, as well as environmental impact.

PEMBERDAYAAN PETERNAK LEBAH TRIGONA PADA KELOMPOK USAHA A BEE HONEY DI GAMPONG ALUE AWE KECAMATAN MUARA DUA

As part of a pilot program, Trigona honey bees have been cultivated in Gampong Alue Awe, Muara Dua subdistrict, by the A Bee Honey group. Under certain conditions, the supply of honey does not satisfy the demand, despite the fact that the cultivation experience and revenue can be used as a source of income. The prices are relatively higher, and consumers have faith in the product's legitimacy and effectiveness. Moreover, unlike livestock farming, beekeeping does not require feed or labor. Gampong Alue Awe, still including woodland areas and community gardens, has the potential to be developed. In addition to a poorly understood sales process, the lack of understanding regarding the cultivation and economics of kelulut honey makes consumers less interested in it. Therefore, community service activities in the form of training are required to determine the function of kelulut honey cultivation in raising family income. According to the circumstance study, the community does not comprehend the advantages and potential of trigona bee cultivation. The purpose of the training is to educate the community about the potential of trigona bee culture as an alternative source of income. In Gampong Alue Awe, the requirement for additional breeders to meet honey stocks can become part of the government's food security policy. From August to November 2022, the group received assistance in the form of agriculture training, harvesting process care, mentoring, and colony support. To join the Bee Honey Breeders Club, you must be a member of the community. The group provides assistance and serves as a coach and incubator for the results of its members. Participants sell honey through the organization due to the fact that business and distribution licenses are already in place. As a result of the service, five family heads expressed interest in joining the program with the group and began raising trigona bees after receiving instruction. Gampong Alue Awe has cooperated with partners to incorporate this initiative into the Gampong budget as a food security program. The benefits of these activities offer a new source of revenue for the community, and the Tridharma of Higher Education seeks the formation of entrepreneurship in the community

Marketable supply of honey: evidence from farmers households in Ethiopia

Identifying determinants of honey market supply in smallholder producers were the objective of the study. Both primary and secondary data were collected. A total of 150 honey producer households were selected randomly from honey producer households and data were collected by individual interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and a focus group discussion. Secondary data were collected from published and unpublished sources. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models. The model result revealed that beekeeping experience, training participation, colony number, frequency of extension contact and types of beehive owned significantly affect the volume of the honey marketed. The study highlights the importance of providing training, arranging field days and creating a forum for experience sharing, providing of a modern hive and giving good extension services.

The Bee Honey Market in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon: An Econometric Model

This study evaluates the effects of socioeconomic, environmental, and institutional variables on the bee honey market in the state of Pará, from 1990 to 2019. The generalized method of moments was used to create the econometric model for estimation. The results show that the supply of honey is price-inelastic and that the rate of forest deforestation strongly impacts honey production. The creation of the Federação das Associações de Apicultores do Estado do Pará was denoted an important institutional landmark for the beekeeping production chain; however, the effects of incentive policies such as rural credit are limited and do not meet the needs of beekeepers. Institutional market policies are ineffective and rarely accessed by beekeepers; however, they represent an opportunity to diversify marketing channels. Honey is a product of biodiversity that is economically classified as a superior good and its demand is price-inelastic. Honey and its derivatives lack marketing strategies to enable their competitive insertion in new markets and government programs; these would enable access to broader markets in cities and lead to the acquisition of more consumers in the future.

Simulation of Bee Aggregation in The Hive During Changes in Honey Supply

Much research has been devoted to bee overwintering because it is the most dangerous period of the bee family’s life. The critical period for bees is the end of winter and the beginning of spring. During this time, there are large fluctuations in air temperature, and bees are forced to change their state from passive to active. By the end of winter, the club rises to the top of the hive, and the honey supply decreases significantly. Thus, this article considers a model that takes these changes into account. According to the results of the simulation, it was found that the movement of the bee club and the decrease of honey reserves in winter increase the fluctuations of the air temperature inside the hive. This affects the internal temperature regime of the bee club. At the same time, the stock of heat energy in the honey decreases and smoothes temperature fluctuations within the bee aggregation less. It is proposed to add a hive weight strain gauge to the previously developed electric bee heating control circuit, which will allow to correct the PWM output voltage coming to the heaters.

Determinants of Export Performance of Honey Industry in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to identify the determinants of export performance of honey industry in Ethiopia and to establish trends of the Ethiopian honey export volume and honey export value. Specifically, the study aimed to assess factors that determine the export performance of existing Ethiopian honey exporters, to identify the extent at which the determinants have an effect on performance of Ethiopian honey export industry, and to assess the trends of Ethiopian honey export in volume and value. In the study a descriptive and explanatory research designs were adopted and the sampling technique (non-probabilitypurposive sampling technique) was used to select sample of 96 sample size from 24 Ethiopian honey exporting firms. The data collection methods; primary and secondary methods were applied to collect the data. The analysis of the secondary data showed that the trends of the Ethiopian honey export volume and honey export value showed an average decline rate of 53% and 51.5% respectively during 2011-2020. The result of primary data indicate that domestic market price and application of agrochemicals on crops, and adulteration mixing honey with other products negatively affect honey export performance with (mean 4.30 and Std dev 0.645), and (mean = 4.43 and std dev =.597), and (mean= 4.48 and std dev= .525) negatively affect honey export performance. Honey marketing legal framework revealed mean value (mean = 4.43, std dev= .637), laboratory service (mean 4.36 and std dev = .636), storage and packaging materials with (mean = 4.33 and std dev= .633) by suppliers and producers, financial credit services (mean= 4.10 and Std dev = .640), and supply of honey (mean= 4.31 and mean= .675) positively affect honey export performance in Ethiopia. The study recommends Ethiopia to have mandatory honey standard, technical supervision and follow up must be strong to reduce adulteration of honey and enhance quality as it is the major criteria of export standard, establishment of new policies on application of agrochemical crops and pesticides, creating suitable condition to produce honey storage and packaging materials in the country, increase production volume to stabilize domestic market price and increase export performance. Keywords: Ethiopia: Export Performance: Market: Honey Export Volume: Honey Export Value

Application of blockchain technology for agrifood supply chain management: a systematic literature review on benefits and challenges

PurposeThis study aims to explore and analyze the application of blockchain technology (BKCT) in agrifood supply chain management (AFSM).Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review (SLR) using Scopus, Emerald and Web of Science covering publications from 2016 to 2021 (till June). Out of 429 papers, 89 papers were shortlisted from journals based on citation analysis. The citation analysis was followed by a content analysis was for an in-depth analysis.FindingsRegarding the application of BKCT in the agrifood supply chain, the study highlights the issue of food safety, traceability, transparency, eliminating intermediaries and integrating Internet of things (IoT) with BKCT as prominent applications in the agrifood sector. The study also uses the case of honey supply chain to use the explored applications in the agrifood sector and provides a traceability solution based on blockchain integrated with IoT. The challenges of BKCT as identified in the study are scalability, privacy, security, lack of regulations and lack of skills and training.Research limitations/implicationsThe review considers only academic papers obtained from specific databases with their relevance based on number of citations.Originality/valueThe study contributes to filling the existing research gap through this SLR on the application of BKCT in AFSCM. The content analysis further assists in exploring the benefits and challenges of BKCT in the agrifood sector. Thus, the academic articles selected aid in this process.

Honey Adulterated with Glucose Syrup: Rheological Modeling

Abstract Honey's reputation for its various both nutritional and medicinal benefits and pleasant taste ensures a sustained high demand for the product all over the world. However, honey supply is quite limited and seldom meets the demand, and consequently the product commands a relatively high price and is exposed to adulteration and imitation. Honey was adulterated with glucose syrup weight of 10%, 50%, 70% and 90%, and each sample was analysed. Pure honey at ambient temperatures exhibits peculiar non-Newtonian rheological behaviour. Adulteration with glucose syrup (a Newtonian fluid) drags its viscosity towards Newtonian flow behaviour. Malcolm Cross and Ostwald-de Waele Power-Law models were used to fit the rheological data, and the former fitted better than the latter. The behaviour indices in both models increased with increasing adulteration of honey with glucose syrup. Chromatographic characterizations of honey which provides an acceptable measure of honey quality corroborated the conclusions derived from the rheological characterization of this study.

Stingless bees farming in Malaysia: a policy analysis matrix (PAM)

After reaching high export production in 2010, the quantity of honey export gradually declined and consumed more imported honey until the year 2017 in Malaysia. This circumstance happened due to low yield in rearing common bees from the local beekeepers. Stingless bees (Trigona) emerged as one of the alternative species that is expected to generate the existing domestic supply of honey in Malaysia. Nevertheless, stingless bee farming is an infant industry and requires more investigation from the economic finding, before suggesting massive commercialization. Hence, the study aims to measure the level of competitiveness, comparative advantage, and government protection to stingless bees farming in Malaysia using Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM). As a result, the industry has achieved a high competitiveness level in the domestic and international markets. Nevertheless, the government still does not fully intervene, the effect on the market liberalization is not visible to the whole stingless bees farming in Malaysia. Therefore, assistance from the government through a policy intervention is urgently necessitated.

Designing a Smart Honey Supply Chain for Sustainable Development

Smart agricultural systems can ensure food security at the source, combat counterfeits and mislabeled goods, garner and preserve trust, and reduce the price of product differentiation. In the honey sector, a smart supply chain could help lift beekeepers out of poverty by generating better market opportunities and value for their honey and strengthening apiculture's position as a vital component of sustainable agriculture. In doing so, the proposed system improves food security and food safety, and reduces honey fraud while strengthening greater biodiversity. This article shows how an open, image-based traceability system designed for sustainable development can be built and used around the world. Key smart agricultural technologies discussed include data-driven honey yield prediction and verification, a smart distribution system built on blockchain technology, pollen signature verification with machine learning algorithms, and a final customer information portal. Taken together, this smart agricultural system has the potential to further several of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Autumn preparation of bee families for wintering for the raising of extra early bee queens under the conditions of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The potential honey supply available in the Republic of Uzbekistan can have up to 2 million bee families. For the development of the beekeeping industry in Uzbekistan, it is necessary to create a purebred population of Apis mellifera carpatica, based on the reproduction of early purebred queen bees. In addition to protein fi llers and mineral complexes, probiotics were used as part of stimulating feed additives for autumn and spring stimulation of egg production of queen bees. However, in our opinion it is better to add prebiotics to the composition of feed additives, which are available in the composition of infant formula used for baby food. It has been established by studies that stimulating feed additives with protein fi llers, combined with cobalt sulfate and a mixture of “Nanny 2 with prebiotic” positively infl uence on the growth, development and economically useful traits of maternal, paternal and queen-rearing colonies in preparation for winter. It has been proved that a high rate of growth of the brood being grown is carried out when giving honey satiety in the composite form with CoSO4 + “Nanny 2 with prebiotic” mixture. In comparison with the background level, this parameter reaches its maximum by the third accounting, increasing in maternal families by 2,41 times, in paternal families – 2,61 times, in queen-rearing colonies – 2,61 times. It has been found that the Carpathian queen bees showed their high genetic capabilities for egg production during the autumn increase in the strength of families with the 3rd and 4th variants of feed additives until the end of the experiment. The maximum rate of egg laying females recorded in the 4th group, exceeded the same level of the 1st group of the parent families by 1,44 times, 2nd group – 1,24 times 3rd group by 1,14 times. An adequate pattern has been registered for paternal and queen-rearing colonies. Stimulating feed additives in particular, the use in group 4 of honey additive in a composite form with CoSO4 + mixture of “Nanny 2 with prebiotic” has a prolonging eff ect, both on the egg-laying ability of queen bees, and on brood feeding, which increases the strength of bee families. By the beginning of winter, this force was 15,4 and 16,0 seams of bees between two combs in the maternal families, 15,5 and 15,8 seams of bees between two combs in the paternal families, and 15,8 and 16,0 seam of bees between two combs in the queen-rearing colonies, respectively. This indicates that a complete generation of autumn bees will be obtained, which will not only successfully overwinter, but will also be actively used in the breeding of extra early queen bees in the new season.

Development of beekeeping in Ukraine; successes achieved, the need for marketing cooperation in the industry, the strategy of the honey business

Introduction. Beekeeping is one of the traditional and most ancient branches of Ukrainian agriculture, which is engaged in breeding bees and obtaining from them honey and other beekeeping products. From ancient times for Ukrainian peasants, honey was one of the main goods in the trade of that time and a separate source of profit.In modern conditions, beekeeping performs a very important intersectoral multifaceted function, as the obtained bee honey and beekeeping auxiliary products (royal jelly, wax, propolis, bee venom, pollen) are widely used in more than 40 industries, as well as in medicine, sculpture, painting.Today, Ukrainian beekeeping is a sphere of economic activity that not only provides employment but also forms a market for the industry, gives the opportunity to develop in this type of agribusiness, both domestic and foreign markets. Its foundation is not only the fact that Ukraine accounts for about 6% of world honey production, but also the fact that consumer demand for Ukrainian honey on the world market is growing dynamically, and as a result, our country is in the TOP-3 largest world exporters of bee honey.The aim of the study is a systematic analysis of the dynamics of production and sale of honey as the main product of beekeeping in Ukraine, identification of the main economic and environmental factors shaping the demand for bee honey, substantiation of strategic guidelines for further development of beekeeping for decent competition in domestic and global honey markets.Results. It is established that the main market for Ukrainian honey is the EU countries, among which the largest consumers are Germany and Poland. In second place after the EU, the US became the buyer of domestic beekeepers.It is indicated that in order to expand export quotas for the supply of honey to EU countries, its entry into new segments of the world market, an important factor is the streamlining of the honey business.It is emphasized that due to the instability and existing challenges of the foreign honey market, the strategy of domestic beekeeping should be focused not on increasing the number of bee colonies and gross honey production, but on a more stable domestic market and modern honey processing technologies.It is argued that in order to create better conditions for the sale of beekeeping products by small and medium-sized agricultural producers, which as a result of pooling resources in cooperatives, will be able to use the latest technologies, form their marketing channels and thus strengthen their position in the agricultural food market.Prospects. The study of the honey business system, improving the quality of bee honey are necessary areas of further research in beekeeping in Ukraine, because these important components deserve special attention in further adaptation of the beekeeping industry to international standards and trade conditions..

Development Barriers of Stingless Bee Honey Industry in Bicol, Philippines

Beekeeping industry in Bicol, Philippines is dominated by stingless beekeepers. Tetragonula biroi, is an endemic stingless bee species in the region, which produces the most expensive honey in the local commercial market. However, beekeeping industry remains to be part of the informal business sector under the shadow of rural enterprises. Improving the industry’s economic contribution would mean upgrading the chain through which beekeeping sector passes through. The purpose of the study is to assess the barriers in developing the stingless bee honey industry. The value chain approach was used in determining the issues along each chain level and in finding ways to strengthen the competitiveness of the industry. Results show that there is not enough support programs given to sustain the drive towards an efficient commodity flow of honey. The demand is high but there are few enablers to strengthen the flow of the commodity. The findings revealed seven development barriers: stability of honey supply, product standardization; product traceability; harvesting and processing policies; entrepreneurial support program; vulnerability to natural disasters; and research programs. Similar to farming, stingless beekeeping is a promising enterprise that is largely dependent on climatic condition. The risks associated with climate change and environment limit people from seriously pursuing stingless beekeeping as an entrepreneurial venture. To strengthen the industry, stakeholder’s collaboration must be institutionalized to create strong business linkages among the chain operators. The distinctive characteristic of stingless bee honey should be positioned in a market niche that matches its benefit to target users. A review must be done on the provisions in the Code of Good Beekeeping Practices as regards the production chain of raw honey and its by-products to ensure that honey sold is of good quality, with fair price, and easily traceable.

Socio-Economic and Profitability Analysis of Honey Marketing in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Honey marketing can generate up to 10 billion USD, since the cumulative values are a function of it and other hive products. Considering its current domestic consumption rate in Nigeria being 380, 000 tonnes with a global price of about 4.5 billion dollars, less of it has been offered into the market against the heavy demand for it taking into consideration that the competition for it is increasingly becoming intense. There is therefore no significant reduction in the demand for honey. Hence, the essence of the study is to analyse the profitability of marketing honey in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The study therefore, examined the socio-economic characteristics of honey marketers; measured the profitability analysis of the honey marketers; identified as well as the honey marketing channels; determined the effect of the socio-economic characteristics on the profitability of honey marketing; and ascertained the constraints to honey marketing in the study area. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 100 honey marketers. Data were presented and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequency distribution, budgetary (or gross margin) analysis and regression Analysis. The results indicated that 68% of the marketers were female, 92% received formal education and 39% of the respondents were between the ages of 31 – 40. Majority (48%) of the respondents had household size between 1–5 persons. The highest marketing experience was between 11 – 15years at 45%. Majority (44%) of the respondents indicated that they were married, while 33% started with capital ranging from N 21, 000 to N30, 000. Results show that majority (100%) of the respondents were confronted with the problem of inadequate honey supply. More so, majority (67%) of the respondents were retailers. The study further indicated that honey marketing enterprise was profitable with an average gross margin of N18, 223.3 per month. Regression analysis results showed that variables such as start-up capital, marketing experience, age and household size had significant influence on the profitability of honey marketing. It was recommended that the government should ensure that road networks become efficient and pliable through the construction of new roads and rehabilitation of bad roads to better facilitates honey marketing mechanism. Keywords : Honey, marketing, margins, profitability, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-6-01 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

The role of honey hunting in supporting subsistence livelihoods in Sumbawa, Indonesia

AbstractHoney from the giant Asian honey bee (Apis dorsata) has been harvested by communities throughout Southeast Asia for centuries. In Indonesia, 80 per cent of the national supply of honey comes from Sumbawa; however, there is limited information regarding the sustainability and importance of honey hunting in supporting rural livelihoods. This study used semi‐structured interviews and questionnaires to examine honey hunting and forest honey production in Sumbawa. It evaluates the economic and cultural importance, opportunities, and constraints of honey hunting and prompts us to suggest that income generation from honey plays a critical role in supporting rural communities. Of respondents, 83 per cent reported that income from honey was essential and accounts for 68 per cent of cash income. Yet honey hunters were harvesting using destructive methods under dangerous conditions and are subject to unpredictable market prices and fluctuating yields. Unlike situations in other areas of Indonesia, no system of customary law was found to exist that defines ownership of honey trees and the right to harvest from them. Limited access to market information, high moisture content of honey, and limited training and extension services were identified as key constraints. Future research exploring the sustainability of harvesting practices and mechanisms for improving profitability of honey hunters would be valuable.

Bioresource potential of forest lands as the source of honey yield in steppe area of the river Don

Successful development of beekeeping, the increased number of beehives and apiaries, as well as high yields of honey and wax are possible only thanks to good and sustainable bee forage. The task of the study was to determine exactly species diversity of melliferous flora in different phytocenosis, to define honey productivity of plant formations in steppe zone of the river Don, bioresource potential and honey supply in different vegetative communities on forest fund lands, to develop the complex of measures, directed to rational and effective use of natural melliferous plants of forest lands. Species composition of nectar bearing vegetation on forest fund lands according to forest and non forest categories is determined. The northwestern part of the region is the richest one, there are more than 1200 plant species,and many of them are melliferous. The southeastern part is poorer in flora.As a result it is defined that there is a huge bioresource forest potential for honey yield in Rostov region. Approximate honey supply on forest fund lands is not less than 6468 tons and the number of beehives is about 54 thousand. One of the most perspective species for bee breeding is black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).

Factors affecting the biology of Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a parasitoid of spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).

Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae is a wasp that parasitizes and host-feeds on pupae of the invasive spotted-wing drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii). Few studies have addressed interactions between these two species and little is known about the potential of this parasitoid as a biocontrol agent of SWD and the different variables that may affect it. Here, we investigated the impact of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on life-history traits of P. vindemmiae. Both constant (entire adulthood) and limited (30 minutes) supplies of water + honey, honey, or host increased parasitoid survival compared to controls (water or fasting). Water + honey caused the highest parasitoid survivals (35-60 days), independent of supply period, sex, and host availability. Females were intrinsically more resistant to water- and honey-deprivation than males, and host-feeding elevated such resistance even higher. Constant honey supply (either with or without water) supported the highest host-killing capacities (= capacity to kill hosts) (ca. 600 SWD pupae/wasp). However, in young females (4-9 days old), the impact of honey availability (with or without water) was insignificant while water deprivation (either with or without honey) caused the highest host-killing potential. This indicates that although sugar becomes a critical nutritional resource as females age, young females depend more on water than sugar to reproduce. Neither water nor honey affected the sex ratio of young females, but when we considered the entire adulthood, the availability of honey caused the lowest proportion of females (0.50), independent of water availability. Neither water nor honey affected parasitoid emergence rate (0.97), independent of female age. Based on survival and host-killing capacity, we conclude that P. vindemmiae has a tremendous biocontrol potential against SWD. Both limited and constant supply of water, sugar, and host increase parasitoid survival, while constant supply of water and/or honey enhance its host-killing potential and decrease sex ratio depending on maternal age.

Trends in beekeeping and honey bee colony losses in Latin America

Over the past decade, several countries have carried out monitoring programs of managed honey bee colonies, which suggest beekeeping difficulties, with high colony loss rates all over the world. Although Latin America plays a major role in the global honey supply, information about trends in beekeeping activities and honey bee colony losses are lacking. Using the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) dataset and a synthesis of unpublished data of colony losses survey carried out over the last 7 years, we reveal a worrying situation of the beekeeping in this region. The Latin American trends in honey production and beehive numbers are drifting from the global pattern, and several high colony loss rates were registered in this region. These results reveal the presence of beekeeping difficulties in Latin America. However, the variability in methods of colony loss survey across initiatives prevent proper conclusion on loss rates. Efforts are needed to adapt, centralize and standardize methods to monitor honey bee health and colony losses across countries in Latin America, the main objective of the “colony losses” working group at the Latin-American Society for Bee Research, SOLATINA, a large-scale platform created in 2017 to coordinate bee research programs in Latin America.