The presence of honey from Jalisco in international market niches, such as Europe and the United States, is proof of the quality and safety of this product that Jaliscan beekeepers have achieved.
In this regard, the head of the office of the Jalisco Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER,) Salvador Álvarez García, said that in order to advance the quality of safety in beekeeping, this agency has supported the support scheme to the sector with incentives to support producers. Such support is translated into equipment works to reinforce the beekeeping production units.
As an example of a successful production unit in opening and consolidating the presence of Jalisco honey in the market, there is the company Tres Sierras, run by the beekeepers Antonio and Eric Rodríguez.
Antonio Rodríguez, founder of the business in the municipality of Zapotiltic, stressed that a key factor to ensure the quality of the honey has been compliance with the good production practices schemes, in order to acquire the necessary certification.
Among the satisfactions achieved, three years ago honey from this agribusiness won first place in a honey contest that was held in Germany, according to the founder.
This company has even achieved certification as an organic product, said Eric Rodríguez, son of the founder, who explained that although currently the international market does not stimulate the price of organic honey enough, this certification serves to guarantee the good quality of this food, at least in a certain niche of consumers.
He pointed out that the honey from Jalisco, along with that from the Altiplano of the center of the country, has consolidated a good image. He explained that multiflora-based honey (with nectar from various flowers,) enjoys a good reputation in Europe, where its sensory properties are highly valued. He also indicated that honey made from mesquite flowers has a very good sign in the United States.
Antonio Rodríguez also commented that the recent declarations of several Jalisco dependencies have been received with optimism, to review and order the environment of state agriculture. It aims to limit the negative impacts of the agave, berry, and avocado plantations, in order so that other sectors, such as livestock and beekeeping, are not affected.
He argued that the reduction of the vegetation favorable to bees and the excess of agrochemicals have brought a drastic reduction in the supply of Jalisco honey. He brought up the case of his agribusiness. Previously they produced 120 barrels of honey (each one of 200 liters,) a few years ago with 1,500 hives; now they only produce 160 barrels from 5,000 hives, which reflects a severe impact on beekeeping due to the changes in environmental matters that have occurred in the Jalisco countryside in recent years.
He added that a thorough assessment of the importance of bees is urgent, as is currently held in several advanced countries.
The Beekeeping Support Program this year accounted for seven million pesos contributed by SADER Jalisco, with a direct impact on 151 producers who responded to the operating rules of the program.
During 2020, the beekeeping of Jalisco closed with a production of 6,059 tons, being the leading entity in the country, according to official figures.