Colombia expands apiculture sector through land suitability and professional training

Beekeeping activities in Colombia are seeing both regional expansion and professionalization efforts. In the department of Córdoba, Montería has been identified as the municipality with the highest suitability for commercial apiculture, possessing 260,269 hectares of ideal land. The Córdoba region as a whole holds 1.38 million hectares suitable for the activity, currently supporting over 9,500 hives and an annual production of nearly 400 tons.

This growth aligns with a global honey market projected to reach $18.33 billion by 2034. The demand is driven by a need for purity and traceability following reports that 46% of certain imported samples in the European Union showed signs of adulteration. This creates opportunities for high-value niches such as medical-grade honey, cosmetics, and mead.

In the Huila region, specifically around Neiva and the Las Ceibas river basin, local beekeepers are undergoing training through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RAP) process. This initiative aims to certify the skills of 27 beekeepers from Neiva, Rivera, and indigenous communities to ensure sustainable production and the implementation of good apicultural practices within the watershed management plan.