Ludhiana: Punjab's beekeeping industry is on the brink of collapse as a "perfect storm" of erratic weather, punitive US tariffs, and rampant honey adulteration forces veteran apiarists to abandon the trade.
Production Plummets
Production has plummeted this season, with beekeepers reporting yields of just 18-20 kg from each hive, down from the traditional average of 35 kg. The decline is attributed to unseasonal rainfall disrupting flowering cycles and widespread pesticide use decimating bee populations.
Price Inversion and Financial Strain
The sector is also grappling with a severe price inversion. Producers estimate the cost of honey production at INR 120 per kg, yet market rates have stagnated at about INR 90. "I started 37 years ago and should have progressed, but today I am back where I began," said Manjit Singh, a beekeeper from the Hoshiarpur belt, where many have already quit. "Survival is becoming impossible."
International Trade Barriers
International trade barriers and geopolitical instability have exacerbated the crisis. The imposition of a 50% tariff by the US last year halted exports of mustard honey, leading to a massive domestic surplus. While exports have resumed partially, rising global shipping rates — fuelled by tensions in West Asia — have further squeezed margins.
Adulteration Undermines Market
Producers claim the domestic market is flooded with cheap corn syrup blends passed off as pure honey, undermining genuine beekeepers. Jatinder Singh Sohi, president of the Progressive Beekeepers Association, criticised the lack of government oversight regarding quality standards. He noted that while the government had released money under various schemes, the aid was targeted largely at new entrants rather than supporting established beekeepers facing systemic losses.
Calls for Policy Intervention
Industry leaders call for urgent policy intervention, including loss compensation, stricter anti-adulteration regulations, and a reduction in agricultural pesticide spraying. Without quick support, experts warn the decline will not only destroy rural livelihoods but also threaten agricultural ecosystems that rely on honeybees for pollination.
