Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has reaffirmed government commitment to expand and support South Africa’s beekeeping sector, calling honeybees “the farmers of the sky” for their essential role in pollination, food production, rural livelihoods and biodiversity.

Pollination’s economic and food-security role

Steenhuisen told attendees at the Beekeeping Awareness Field Day in Westlake that bee pollination is critical beyond honey production, ensuring fruit set for nearly 75% of food crops and contributing more than R10 billion a year to agriculture. He said beekeeping supports food security and creates jobs across the value chain, from hive owners to farmworkers on pollination-dependent crops.

Threats and on-farm actions

The Minister warned that habitat loss, drought and pesticide misuse are weakening bee populations. He urged landowners, schools and municipalities to create bee-friendly spaces planted with indigenous species, fruit trees and wildflowers. He also called for responsible pesticide use, coordinated communication between farmers and beekeepers, and wider adoption of integrated pest management and less-toxic spray options.

Building a domestic honey value chain

South Africa produces up to 2,500 tonnes of honey annually but consumes nearly twice that amount, relying on imports—more than 80% of which come from China—and supplies from Zambia, India, Poland and Yemen. Steenhuisen highlighted concerns about poor-quality and adulterated imports and said December inspections by the Department of Agriculture’s Inspection Services will target mislabelled and counterfeit honey on store shelves. He argued that investing in local beekeepers, processors and cooperatives can expand rural employment, exports and product authenticity.

Research, biosecurity and sector governance

The department is advancing several strategic measures to strengthen the sector, including a National Beekeeping/Apiculture Strategy, an American foulbrood (AFB) Management and Response Strategy, a Bee Forage Strategy, and a Residue Monitoring Plan for EU honey exports. Plans also include a Honey Value Chain Round-Table Forum, revived bilateral engagement with the bee industry, lab accreditation for honey testing, and a commissioned ARC survey of AFB in South African apiaries to inform policy and response measures.

Minister’s closing message

“We must protect pollinators, nurture beekeepers and grow South Africa’s honey industry into a sustainable, pride-worthy sector,” Steenhuisen said, calling on stakeholders to work together to ensure the continued “hum of the honeybee” for future generations.