Beekeeping is a costly, but profitable business

Beekeeping needs significant investments, but the profits are as considerable, said beekeepers who took part in a festive meeting held at the Ministry of Agriculture on August 19, on the occasion of the Beekeepers’ Day, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Beekeeping is a profitable business if the beekeeper knows the necessary practices. The higher the number of beehives, the larger is the profit. A kilogram of honey wholesale costs 25 lei per kilogram. The retail price is 60 per kilogram. The investments can amount to several thousands of lei a year, but it’s worth investing money,” said Stefan Condratiuc, president of the National Beekeepers Association. Attending the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Viorel Gutu said the honey is produced not only for sale and consumption, but also for treating different diseases as medicine. Over 2,000 tonnes of honey were produced in Moldova last year. Of them, 200 tonnes were exported, 85% to the EU. Viorel Gutu congratulated the beekeepers, wising them success and accomplishments. Valentina Ciubotari, head of the Laboratory for Beekeepers of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, said the bees must be vaccinates three times a year, while the beehives must be cleaned once a week. Many bees die because of the improper hygienic conditions. Most of the honey is produced when the acacia is in blossom. This type of honey is of the best quality, she said. Ion Lozovanu, from Straseni district, told Info-Prim Neo that he started to keep bees 20 years ago. The honey production can be low or high, but he does not despair. He has 30 beehives and can make over 30,000 lei a year. The Beekeepers’ Day has been celebrated in Moldova for six years. A honey fair is staged in central Chisinau on this occasion.