Australia is the fourth largest exporter of honey in the world after China, Argentina and Mexico. Australian honey varieties are recognised for their high quality and unique flavours, affected by the bee’s feasting on a wide range of wild nectars. Well known Australian varieties include: yellow box, grey box, river red gum, stringy-bark and red box.
85 per cent of Australian honey is harvested from the nectar of native flora, especially blossoming Eucalypts.
The honey production industry is a huge contributor to the economy of many rural Victorian districts. Some 85 per cent of our unique Australian honey is harvested from the nectar of native flora, especially blossoming Eucalypts.
Most Eucalypt species, such as yellow box and river red gym, flower sporadically for 6-8 weeks a year, on at least a two year cycle. The many distinct Stringybark species have staggered flowering over a longer period. All species need the right quantity and timing of rainfall to ensure a plentiful secretion of nectar.
Native flora produces pollen which is the protein food of the honey bee. Without native flora ‘islands’ nearby, it would be impossible to sustain honey bee populations in sufficient quantities to meet demands for honey and pollination services.
Honey packaging businesses provide an important service to local beekeepers by helping them brand to niche segments of both domestic and export markets. Apiculture provides employment to a diverse range of skilled people in Victorian communities.
Honey processors include:
Capilano Honey Ltd – Maryborough
Beechworth Honey – Beechworth (Corowa NSW)
Archibald’s Honey – Dingley
Goode’s Honey – Bairnsdale
Redpath’s Beekeeping Supplies – Moorabbin
Bendigo Pure Gold Honey – Bendigo
Pure Peninsula Honey
Honey Bee Pollination and Your Crop
Did you know that by hiring honey bee hives to pollinate your crop, the size and quality of your fruit and/or seed set will be improved?
Crops for which honey bee pollination is essential:
- Pome Fruits (apples and pears)
- Nashi Fruit
- Cherries
- Kiwi Fruit
- Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries etc
- Cucurbits – Melons, Pumpkins, Marrow, Squash, Cucumbers, Zucchinis
- Almonds, Lucerne, Buckwheat.
Crops whose yield quality is improved by the presence of honey bee hives:
- Clover
- Sunflowers
- Canola
- Faba Beans
- Chick Peas
- Stone Fruits
- Vegetable seed production.
With improvement in the quality of your crop by efficient pollination, can you afford not to hire honey bees?
See below hire/consignment note proforma to assist with placing your bees for pollination of crops etc. hire/consignment note proforma to assist with placing your bees for pollination of crops etc.