Pollination Services
Apiarists are vital to the success of horticultural industries such as almonds and avocados, which rely on insect pollination to set fruit. Six hundred bee hives are permanently operated in the Mildura Region, and demand exists for many more. Tens of thousands of bee hives are brought into the district seasonally. The national value to agricultural production of pollination by the honey bee industry is estimated at between $60 million and $1.2 billion each year.

HONEY PRODUCTION
Local beekeepers produce 1,000 tonnes of honey annually, which demands a premium for its high density and low moisture levels. Other products include bees wax, royal jelly, queen bees and pollen.

With greater recognition of the therapeutic and health benefits of honey, local investors are beginning to explore emerging value-adding opportunities, such as Honey Straws for endurance athletes.

CONTACTS
Australian Honey Bee Industry Council
Tel 61 2 9221 0911
Email ahbic@honeybee.org.au
Website www.honeybee.org.au

Victorian Apiarists Association
Tel 61 3 5446 1544

Sunraysia Apiarists Association
Tel 61 3 5024 8674
Mobile 0427 248 674