Beekeeping must continue, but just as crucially, the lives of beekeepers must be sustainable. Without beekeepers, modern beekeeping cannot survive.

In recent years, the income of beekeepers has been shifting from traditional honey sales to pollination services. This shift is largely driven by the current dynamics of supply and demand. Particularly in Australia, the wholesale price of honey has dropped significantly, even considering the Consumer Price Index (CPI), making it less profitable for beekeepers to produce honey. On the other hand, the horticultural industry, aiming to boost global competitiveness through increased agricultural productivity, has seen a growing need for bee pollination. Consequently, in some crop industries, the cost of securing hives for pollination has risen, leading many beekeepers to focus more on pollination as a primary source of income. In some cases, honey has become a byproduct of bee pollination services. The government has even begun to consider extending levies previously applied only to honey to include pollination services as well. The traditional association of bees with honey is rapidly changing within the industry, and it may not be long before this shift becomes apparent in supermarkets, as bees play a direct and critical role in the production of most fruits, vegetables, and crops we consume.

This shift brings with it several critical issues that must be addressed.

1. Bee Health

The health of bee colonies is paramount. Without healthy bees, the entire pollination process is at risk, which in turn threatens agricultural productivity and food security. Bee health is influenced by various factors, including disease, pesticide use, and environmental changes. Despite its importance, bee health often does not receive the attention it deserves, leading to vulnerabilities within the industry.

2. Growers’ Reactions to Rising Pollination Costs

The increasing cost of bee pollination has sparked concern among growers. As costs rise, the profitability of using bee pollination decreases, prompting some in the almond industry to explore varieties of almonds that do not require bee pollination. This development is troubling because it indicates a loss of trust in bee pollination as a reliable and cost-effective solution, turning it from a key driving factor into a perceived risk.

3. The Need to Improve Beekeeping Profitability

For the beekeeping industry to be sustainable, it is crucial to improve its profitability. Beekeepers must be able to generate a living income, which requires a reduction in production costs and an increase in revenue. This is not merely a business issue but a matter of ensuring the continued viability of beekeeping as a profession and, by extension, the agricultural industries that rely on it.

These three issues—bee health, pollination costs, and beekeeping profitability—are interconnected and cannot be solved in isolation. Yet, much of the current research and discussion tends to address these areas separately. A more holistic approach is necessary, one that considers the complex dynamics at play and aims to foster a beekeeping industry that can thrive as a sustainable agricultural practice.

The Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

The almond industry’s move toward bee-independent varieties is a wake-up call. This shift is driven not only by the rising costs of pollination but also by the perception that bee pollination itself is becoming a risk rather than a benefit. For years, bee pollination was seen as an ideal symbiotic relationship between agriculture and nature. However, the increasing unpredictability of bee health and the associated costs have eroded this trust, making it one of the largest risks in almond farming, alongside water supply issues.

Given the seasonal nature of agriculture, the short window during which flowers bloom makes the timely availability of healthy hives critical to productivity. It is alarming that this essential production factor is still not adequately managed, measured, or supported by accurate data analysis. The fact that the supply of hives for pollination is still largely managed through outdated, broker-driven systems, relying on human memory and paper records, highlights how beekeeping has been overlooked and underestimated in its importance to agriculture.

While the importance of bee pollination is recognised by those with a deeper understanding of agriculture, the general public remains largely unaware of the issues at hand. Modern consumers (most of us), accustomed to the convenience of finding fresh produce in their local supermarkets, are mostly oblivious to the role of bee pollination and the challenges faced by beekeepers. The disconnect between consumers and the realities of agricultural production is stark.

Building Trust and Ensuring Sustainability

To address these challenges, the first step must be to systematically gather data on hive health and reduce the production costs associated with beekeeping. This will help stabilise the industry, allowing beekeepers to earn a viable income and ensuring the sustainability of their businesses by lowering their bottom-line and provide them some room between their cost and revenue. In a capitalist economy, the principle of cost burden on suppliers will persist. With large-scale farming operations becoming more prevalent, it is unlikely that growers will willingly absorb additional innovation costs from beekeepers. This is evident in the shift toward bee-independent crops, where growers see bee pollination as a risk rather than an asset.

The conclusion is clear: beekeepers must take the initiative to produce and manage healthy colonies, demonstrating the direct benefits of their services in terms of productivity and quality. Building mutual trust between beekeepers and growers is essential to restoring stability in the market. This trust cannot be achieved through pressure, one-sided demands, or empty promises. Instead, it must be built on a foundation of proven value and reliability in pollination services.

The Role of BeeSTAR in Building Trust

In this context, the role of platforms like BeeSTAR becomes critical. BeeSTAR can serve as a foundation for trust among all stakeholders by providing reliable data and insights. It can be the starting point for establishing trust in transactions, outcomes, processes, and the quality and timing of services. By offering a platform where all parties can understand, agree on, and accept the facts, BeeSTAR can help rebuild the trust that is essential for the beekeeping and pollination industry to thrive.

By focusing on the broader challenges and the solutions that can bring stability and sustainability to the industry, BeeSTAR can be more than just a tool—it can be the cornerstone of a renewed and strengthened relationship between beekeepers and growers. In doing so, it can help ensure the continued viability of beekeeping and pollination as essential components of modern agriculture in Australia.