Mérida, Mexico — The meliponiculture sector in Yucatán has reached a historic milestone: for the first time, producers of Melipona honey have obtained an official registration as Livestock Production Units (UPP). This will allow them to access state and federal support, preferential credit, and certifications to approach export markets.
The announcement was made during the forum "Meliponiculture in Rural Development," which brought together more than 300 producers, specialists, and authorities. Until now, the lack of formal recognition had limited the development of the sector, preventing support from reaching those who keep this productive tradition alive directly.
According to the Yucatán Ministry of Agriculture, 368 meliponiculturists are currently registered, with an estimated annual production of 5,700 kilograms of honey. Although the volume is small compared to conventional beekeeping, the high value of the product makes it strategic: each kilogram of Melipona honey can reach prices of up to 1,800 pesos on the market.
During the meeting, workshops, conferences, and business meetings were held with national and international buyers interested in including Mayan honey in their portfolio. This space opened the possibility of positioning Melipona honey in global commerce, not only for its economic value but also for its cultural and medicinal importance, as it is a legacy of the Mayan peoples.
The participants agreed that this registration represents a step towards the consolidation of meliponiculture as a productive activity with high impact for rural communities. Furthermore, they highlighted that the official recognition reinforces the protection of the native bee, a symbol of identity and heritage for the peninsula, linking ancestral knowledge with technological innovation.
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