South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening the national beekeeping sector, describing honeybees as "the farmers of the sky" and emphasising their essential role in agriculture and food production.
Speaking at the Beekeeping Awareness Field Day in Cape Town, Steenhuisen said bees contribute to almost 75 percent of food crop pollination and add more than R10 billion (US$544 million) annually to South Africa's agricultural output. "They do not use tractors or ploughs, yet their work ensures that nearly 75% of our food crops bear fruit," he said.
The Minister noted that beekeeping contributes directly and indirectly to rural employment, income generation, and food security. Bees, recognised as agricultural animals under the Animal Improvement Act, support several departmental priorities, including improved food and nutrition security, enhanced biosecurity, and expanded market access.
Steenhuisen warned that habitat loss, drought, and pesticide misuse threaten bee populations and crop pollination. He called for better land management and coordination between farmers and beekeepers. "When the land stops flowering, bees go hungry, colonies weaken, and honey yields decline," he said. The Department of Agriculture is promoting integrated pest management and encouraging farmers to avoid spraying pesticides during bloom.
South Africa produces around 2,500 tonnes of honey annually, meeting only half of its domestic demand. The shortfall is met through imports, mostly from China, as well as Zambia, India, Poland, and Yemen. Steenhuisen said that the Department's Inspection Services will conduct operations in December to remove counterfeit or mislabelled honey from store shelves.
To strengthen the local honey value chain, the Department is supporting small producers and processors and promoting product traceability. "By investing in our local beekeepers, honey processors, and cooperatives, we can grow this sector into a thriving value chain that supports rural jobs, exports, and food authenticity," Steenhuisen said.
The Ministry is advancing several initiatives to ensure the sustainability of the bee sector, including the National Beekeeping Strategy, the American Foulbrood (AFB) Management and Response Strategy, a Bee Forage Strategy, and a Residue Monitoring Plan for honey exports to the EU. Research commissioned through the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) will also survey AFB in honeybee colonies and guide future biosecurity policies.
Source: SA News
