Argentine Beekeepers' Magazine

(Espacio Apícola, June 4th, 2025) Winter break formally begins for all Argentine beekeepers next weekend during the ExpoMiel Azul 2025 (It is the Argentine Honey Show), Buenos Aires province, this June, Friday 6 and Saturday 7.

This June began within a normal range of temperatures. The fog dominates the landscape along the most busiest routes of the country in the early morning and more, it is a phenomenon accentated by the intense autumn rainfall tha has saturated the soil profile across much of the country. Starting in mid-July, many Argentine beekeepers begin their trips to provinces like Río Negro (Northern Patagonia), Mendoza (to the west), Tucumán or Salta (in the north) to provide pollination services or to take advantage of the early blooms of natural forest, wich also include provinces as Santiago del Estero and western Córdoba (in the center), it will be the beginning of the beekeeping season 2025-2026.

SOME INTERNATIONAL HONEY PRICES Last April saw the lowest prices paid for imported honey in the United States, where Argentina sends more than 60% of its production. Argentine extra light amber honey (ELA) had an average price of USD 2,217/mt last April for the 2,400 tons shipped, while in April of last year it had already fallen to USD 2,380/t from USD 3,507/t in April 2023.

With 3040 ELA honey exported by India they obtain a price of USD 2005/mt.

Brazil led exports of certified organic honey to the USA with more than 2300 metric tons this April at an average price of USD 3132/mt while Uruguay, the neighboring country, exporte about 113 mt of certified organic honey at an average price of USD 2084/mt.

Among the countries that are the major honey exporters to the USA, India led the shipments of bottled honey in April sending about 484 mt at USD 2103 by metric ton, followed by Türkiye with 137mt at an average of USD 4285/mt.

There is significant concern between Argentine honey producers. The current prices offered are unattractive and do not stimulate them. They are only maintaining their activity and its capital as possible. The good sanitary condition of the bee colonies, a low incidence of Varroa that is properly controled, and the whole production of the country still allows the industry to survive.

With some skepticism, there is some expectation that both US and EU will reduce or eliminate anti dumping sanctions or import tariffs respectively to promote domestic consumption of real honey in those countries. Speaking of honey quality, it is imperative that Americans and Europeans establish effective controls over what they buy under the label of "honey".

UPCOMING MEETINGS The SADA leadership is in charge of the lecture program of the "ExpoMiel Azul" which will take place only on Saturday this year. It begins with a panel on bee nutrition led by current and former APILAB laboratory technicians; Carlos Litwin will speak about apitoxin; there will also be a panel on the formal requirements for packaging honey and finally a talk on the honey market by Norberto García Girou, advisor of NEXCO S.A. Check the schedules of all the planned activities on the Expomiel website.

Other more regional activities will take place in General Alvear, Mendoza, and Villa de Soto, Córdoba, also in June; in August, an Api-Expo will take place in Doblas, La Pampa; and in early September, the national calendar concludes with an Api-Expo in Lavalle, in northern Mendoza. Check dates and contact information in the carousel on our website HERE

Fernando Esteban