Modern beekeeping goes far beyond honey production. A single hive produces a variety of substances — beeswax, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly — each with significant nutritional, medicinal, or industrial value.
Proper processing and marketing of these products enable beekeepers to diversify income and improve sustainability.This
article explores how each of these hive products is produced, processed, and
marketed according to scientific best practices.
1. Beeswax
Production and Composition
Beeswax
is secreted by worker bees aged between 12 and 18 days from special wax glands
on the underside of their abdomens. The wax scales are used to build and repair
combs for storing brood, pollen, and honey. Chemically, beeswax is composed of
esters, hydrocarbons, and fatty acids, giving it a melting point between 62°C
and 65°C (Crane, 1990).
Harvesting Beeswax
Beeswax
is obtained mainly from three sources:
- Cappings wax: from combs during honey extraction.
- Old combs: replaced during hive maintenance.
- Burr combs: irregular comb built outside frames.
The
material is cleaned and melted gently in water — never directly over a flame,
as overheating darkens and damages the wax.
Processing and Uses
The
melted wax is filtered through a fine cloth to remove impurities and poured
into molds to form blocks. When fully solidified, it is ready for sale or
further use.
Pure
beeswax is in high demand across industries:
- Candle-making and cosmetics.
- Polishes and waterproofing.
- Pharmaceuticals and food coatings.
Bradbear
(2009) observes that beeswax can contribute 10–15% of an apiary’s income.
Reusing clean wax to produce foundation sheets also reduces the bees’ workload
in secreting new wax, increasing honey yield.
2. Propolis
Nature and Collection
Propolis,
sometimes called “bee glue,” is a resinous mixture bees collect from tree buds,
bark, or leaves. They use it to seal gaps, maintain hive sterility, and mummify
intruders. It contains resins, essential oils, wax, and bioactive compounds
such as flavonoids and phenolic acids (Bogdanov, 2017).
To
collect propolis, beekeepers install propolis traps (plastic or wire
grids) at the top of the hive. Once filled, these traps are removed and frozen.
The hardened resin becomes brittle and can easily be broken off for collection.
Processing
Raw
propolis is cleaned and stored in airtight containers. It may be further
processed into:
- Propolis tinctures or extracts (dissolved in alcohol or oil).
- Powder or capsules for dietary supplements.
- Creams or sprays for cosmetic and medicinal use.
FAO
(2009) recommends processing below 45°C to preserve bioactive compounds.
Market Potential
Global
demand for propolis is growing due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant
properties. While chemical composition varies by region and plant source,
national standards and quality control can enhance trade potential. In Kenya
and East Africa, propolis offers a valuable diversification path for
small-scale beekeepers.
3. Pollen
Importance
Pollen
is the main protein source for bees, vital for brood growth. When harvested
carefully, it becomes a nutrient-rich human food supplement, providing
essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Collection
Beekeepers
collect pollen using pollen traps — mesh grids fitted at the hive
entrance that remove pellets from the legs of returning foragers. However,
traps should be opened only part of the day to prevent starvation within the
colony. Over-harvesting can weaken bees.
Processing and Storage
Collected
pollen should be dried promptly at temperatures below 45°C to prevent
mold. It is then sieved to remove debris, and stored in airtight containers in
a cool, dry place or refrigerated.
Dried
pollen is marketed as granules, powder, or capsules and can be incorporated
into energy bars or natural supplements.
Bogdanov
(2017) highlights bee pollen’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential,
which has made it popular in health-conscious markets. However, strict hygiene
and moisture control are essential to maintain quality and prevent microbial
contamination.
Market Outlook
With
growing global demand for natural functional foods, pollen is becoming a niche
export product. Kenya’s diverse flora offers an opportunity for regionally
branded pollen products once drying and packaging standards are standardized.
4. Royal Jelly
Biological Source
Royal
jelly is a milky, nutrient-rich secretion produced by nurse bees to feed all
larvae for the first three days of life and the queen throughout her lifetime.
It contains proteins, sugars, lipids, minerals, and B-complex vitamins. Its
composition gives it rejuvenating and medicinal properties highly prized in
cosmetics and dietary supplements (Crane, 1990).
Production
Beekeepers
harvest royal jelly using the queen rearing technique. Worker larvae
(less than three days old) are grafted into artificial queen cups and placed in
strong, queenless colonies. After 68–72 hours, the larvae are removed and the
jelly is carefully scooped from each cell using a sterile spatula.
Each
colony can produce about 300–500 grams of royal jelly per cycle under
optimal conditions (FAO, 2009).
Processing and Storage
Royal
jelly must be handled with care:
- Store immediately in sterile, dark glass jars.
- Keep refrigerated at 0–5°C or frozen for long-term storage.
- Avoid exposure to light and oxygen.
For
longer shelf life, royal jelly can be freeze-dried (lyophilized) into
powder for capsules or cosmetics.
Uses and Market Potential
Royal
jelly is used in health supplements, skincare products, and pharmaceutical
formulations. The Codex Alimentarius (2001) classifies it as a bee
product suitable for human consumption if processed hygienically.
Though
production in Africa remains low, the expanding Asian market offers strong
potential for export-oriented apiculture ventures.
5. Ensuring Quality and Hygiene
The
profitability of hive products depends on maintaining quality from harvest to
packaging. Contamination by smoke, dust, or metals can ruin entire batches. All
equipment should be stainless steel or food-grade plastic.
Good
manufacturing practices (GMP) include:
- Maintaining cleanliness in processing areas.
- Using filtered water and sanitized containers.
- Avoiding pesticide exposure near apiaries.
- Proper labeling and traceability for every batch.
Labels
should include the product name, net weight, producer’s name and address, batch
number, and storage instructions.
6. Marketing Hive By-Products
Branding and Packaging
Attractive,
informative packaging adds significant value. Beeswax blocks embossed with the
Dashon Honey logo or propolis packaged in tinted dropper bottles communicate
professionalism and purity.
Packaging
should protect the product from light, moisture, and air while displaying
essential product information clearly.
Certification and Market Access
Organic
certification, residue analysis, and traceability systems enhance credibility.
Buyers in Europe and Asia increasingly demand proof of chemical-free
production. Collective certification through cooperatives can reduce the cost
burden for smallholders.
Cooperative Marketing
Pooling
products through associations or cooperatives ensures consistent supply and
better bargaining power. Bradbear (2009) notes that cooperative marketing can
raise prices by 20–30% through improved logistics and branding.
Value Addition
Transforming
raw materials into finished products — beeswax candles, propolis tinctures,
pollen tablets, or royal jelly creams — creates new revenue streams. Product
diversification also stabilizes income when honey yields fluctuate.
Market Trends
The
global demand for natural bee products is projected to continue rising, driven
by the wellness and organic cosmetics industries. Developing countries can tap
into this growth through quality assurance, certification, and branding linked
to floral and regional identity.
7. Economic and Environmental Benefits
Diversifying
into multiple hive products reduces economic risk and enhances sustainability.
During poor honey seasons, sales of wax or propolis can sustain operations.
Moreover, careful harvesting improves overall hive hygiene and colony strength.
Environmentally,
promoting natural hive products encourages forest conservation and biodiversity
since bees depend on healthy ecosystems for resin and pollen sources.
Conclusion
Beekeeping
is more than honey production — it is the art of utilizing the full potential
of the hive. Beeswax, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly are valuable gifts
that, when processed and marketed scientifically, transform beekeeping from a
simple agricultural activity into a multi-product enterprise.
By
maintaining hygiene, adhering to quality standards, and embracing creative
branding, beekeepers can increase profitability while supporting the ecological
importance of honey bees. Diversified apiculture is not only good business — it
is good stewardship of nature’s most industrious pollinators.
References
1. Bradbear,
N. (2009). Bees and their role in forest livelihoods. FAO Forestry Paper
171.
2. Bogdanov, S. (2017). Bee Product Science: Chemical Composition and
Applications. Bee Product Science Series.
3. Codex Alimentarius (2001). Revised Standard for Honey and Other Bee
Products. Codex Stan 12-1981, Rev. 1 (2001).
4. Crane, E. (1990). Bees and Beekeeping: Science, Practice and World
Resources. Cornell University Press.
5. FAO (2009). Honey Bee Diseases and Pests: A Practical Guide. Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.