Bees are not only one of the most important pillars sustaining global food production, they also play a key role in the profitability of high-value crops, says Inge Austin, beekeeper and owner of The Beeger Picture, a Nelspruit-based company providing a range of bee-related services.

By Jasper Raats, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

Austin spoke at the recent Fresh Solutions meeting in Bryanston, Johannesburg, a platform for members of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) to network. She explained the economic value of bees in the cultivation of crops such as avocados, macadamia nuts and blueberries.

About 75% of all global agricultural crops are directly dependent on pollination by bees or other insects, Austin said. “If you take away bees, your production collapses.” Bee pollination increases yield, fruit size and product quality – and therefore the overall value of these export crops.

She said bees contribute up to R1,4 billion to the avocado industry’s annual turnover, and about R1,1 billion to macadamia nuts. In blueberries, she added, pollination can make the difference between 10% and 100% of a crop – “without bees, you only get a fraction of your potential yield.”

Also read: Building a sustainable future for bees, beekeepers and biodiversity

Challenges for Beekeepers

Austin called on the fresh produce industry to view pollination as a primary production input and to prioritise strong working relationships with beekeepers. There are many challenges to consider when managing pollination effectively.

Crops grown under nets, such as blueberries, pose particular problems for bees and the beekeepers who manage them. There is less light under the nets and it’s cooler – both factors that limit bee activity. Bees don’t work below 15°C; if it’s too cold, they stay in the hive, she explained.

The nectar and pollen from macadamia flowers are not as attractive to bees as those from other plants, such as basil. If alternative flowers are nearby, bees often prefer those instead. To counter this, beekeepers must actively manage colonies in the orchards, sometimes by bringing in “naïve bees” – new colonies unfamiliar with the surrounding crops – every now and then to ensure effective pollination.

Hives are large and heavy, and must be moved at night when bees are inside, which adds considerable cost in terms of transport and labour.

Effective pollination also depends on maintaining healthy colonies, which requires close cooperation between beekeepers and producers. Austin recommends that producers enter into formal pollination contracts outlining responsibilities, timing, and protection from pesticide exposure.

Also read: Healing through honey: Lulu Letlape, SA’s beekeeping powerhouse

Despite their central role in agriculture, many beekeepers are struggling to survive – a reality that producers may not always be aware of when contracting pollination services.

Austin said theft and vandalism of beehives have increased sharply, especially in Mpumalanga. “I have suffered huge losses this year from hives that have been stolen or destroyed, and colonies that have died as a result of vandalism,” she said.

She warned that cheap honey sold online often comes from stolen or illegal sources, urging consumers to support registered producers only.

“Producers can ensure their pollination contractors are using legal hives by checking whether the beekeeper’s registration number with the Department of Agriculture matches the numbers that, by law, must be affixed to their hives.”

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Bees and Food Security

South Africa produces only about 2 000 tonnes of honey per year, compared with a consumption of more than 4 000 tonnes – meaning that half must be imported, often as irradiated or diluted products.

To produce more honey, South Africa needs more viable bee colonies that can access enough nectar and pollen outside the pollination season.

Austin advocates for a more integrated approach to farming – one that includes cover crops, natural pest control and bee-friendly plants in orchard management. “We need to bring nature back into the orchard. By planting ground cover, clover or basil, you not only improve the soil’s nitrogen and moisture retention, but also provide food for bees outside of the pollination season,” she said.

She emphasised that beekeeping is not just about honey but also about food security. “Bees determine whether future generations will have a sustainable food system.”