Low prices for Yucatán honey force beekeepers to sell in the park to make a profit

Beekeepers in Valladolid are turning to direct sales at weekend markets as they face a double challenge: low Yucatán honey production from this season’s Tajonal flowering and some of the lowest bulk prices in recent memory.

With wholesale prices stagnating at 27-28 pesos per kilogram, producers are discovering that bottling and selling their honey directly to consumers offers a path to better returns. This weekend, several beekeepers have set up stands in the Plaza Mayor, where they can command premium prices for their high-quality product.

Normally, much of the honey is exported to Europe, particularly Germany.

“I have about 300 kilograms of honey stored at home because the wholesale price is simply too low,” says Virginia May Canul, who manages 46 beehives in the Xocén district. Instead of selling to intermediaries or collection centers, May Canul bottles her honey and sells it for 120 pesos per liter, with smaller bottles available from 40 to 70 pesos depending on size.

The success of these markets has led beekeepers to petition local authorities for permission to set up stands every Saturday in the central park. May Canul reports earning about 1,000 pesos in a single market day last month. She has also expanded her distribution to include handicraft shops and markets in Quintana Roo.

Pure product

Quality remains paramount for these producers. Néstor Ayil Can, who tends 45 hives in San Vicente, emphasizes their commitment to pure, chemical-free honey production. The beekeepers even handle pest control manually, removing varroa mites from hives by hand to avoid chemical treatments that could contaminate their product.

The challenges facing local beekeepers highlight a broader industry issue: while collection centers profit from exporting honey to European markets, producers struggle with prices that barely cover their costs. The weekend markets represent not just a sales opportunity, but a chance for beekeepers to reclaim their place in the value chain and connect directly with consumers who appreciate their artisanal approach.

For the community, these markets have become more than just honey sales venues. They now include vendors like Catalina Cupul Pech, who sells ornamental plants ranging from “corona de Cristo” to bougainvillea, priced between 40 and 80 pesos. This diversity helps create a vibrant marketplace that benefits both vendors and local shoppers.

The story of Valladolid’s beekeepers illustrates how traditional producers are adapting to market challenges while maintaining quality. Their direct-to-consumer approach not only ensures better returns but also preserves a vital local industry that produces some of the region’s finest honey.

What’s so special about Yucatán honey?

The Melipona bee, native to Mexico and Central America, has been cultivated by Maya communities for over 3,000 years. Most notably, the Melipona beecheii species, known locally as Xunan kab or the “royal lady bee,” is central to Yucatan’s traditional beekeeping practices.

Unlike European honeybees, Melipona bees are stingless and create unique horizontal hives in hollow tree trunks. These bees produce a distinct honey that’s more liquid and slightly more acidic than traditional honey, with production volumes much lower than European bees — typically just 1-2 liters per hive annually versus 40-60 liters from European bee colonies.

Melipona honey has been traditionally used for both medicinal and ceremonial purposes by Maya communities. The honey is particularly valued for its alleged therapeutic properties, especially for treating eye conditions, wounds, and respiratory issues.

However, the Melipona bee population has declined significantly in recent decades due to deforestation, competition from European bees, and changes in traditional beekeeping practices. Conservation efforts are underway in various parts of the Yucatan Peninsula to protect these native bees and preserve the ancient meliponiculture traditions that are deeply intertwined with Maya cultural heritage.

With information from Diario de Yucatán