Honey Program

Dignity for Beekeepers

Although the U.S. does cultivate honey domestically for American consumption, domestic beekeepers currently only produce approximately 30% of the annual honey volumes needed to meet U.S. consumer demand. A large percentage of the honey that is imported into the US is produced by impoverished beekeepers in developing nations throughout Asia and Latin America, subject to fluctuating world market prices.  Most beekeeping families live in remote locations and are dependent on local middlemen to purchase their honey, often at a fraction of its worth. Unable to make a decent living as beekeepers alone, many producers are forced to take jobs as seasonal labor and to leave their families for long work seasons. Fair Trade Certified guarantees producers a set minimum price for their honey and links beekeeper-run cooperatives directly with US importers, cutting out middlemen and paving the way for long-term sustainability. Through Fair Trade Certified, beekeepers and their families are earning a better income for their hard work, which allows them to stay on to their land and keep their kids in school.

Ensuring a quality supply

As a result of receiving guaranteed Fair Trade Certified minimum prices, beekeepers can invest in apiary management improvements such as new hive boxes and high quality transport containers. Delicious honey and healthy bees are dependent upon the quality of the local environment, and on Fair Trade farms, producers must adhere to strict standards regarding the use and handling of pesticides, the protection of natural waters, virgin forest and waste management. Finally, by guaranteeing traceability from bee to honey jar, Fair Trade Certified honey can be tracked back to an individual cooperative and even an individual beekeeper.

» To learn how to become a licensed honey importer, click here >
» To learn how to use Fair Trade Certified honey in your products, click here >
» To learn how to retail Fair Trade Certified honey through your business, click here >