Soybean cultivation in Brazil boosts honey production

In the Pampa Gaúcho region of Brazil, the integration of soybean cultivation and apiculture has resulted in a harvest of approximately 36 tons of honey by 23 beekeepers during the 2025/26 season. This represents a 44% increase compared to the previous season.

According to BASF, the success is part of the Coexistence Project between Agriculture and Apiculture, which utilizes soybean nectar as a supplemental food source for bee colonies during the flowering stage. The project aims to demonstrate that agricultural productivity and environmental conservation can be mutually beneficial through integrated management and dialogue between farmers and beekeepers. The initiative is expected to continue into the 2026/27 season.

In Mato Grosso, there is significant potential for similar integration due to the vast areas dedicated to soybean production, though success depends on organized apiaries and the coordination of agricultural operations with bee activity.