La Presumida’s Beekeepers Struggle With Low Honey Prices

José María Morelos — The beekeeping industry is undergoing one of its most critical stages in the community of La Presumida, where producers face very low selling prices while the costs of supplies continue to rise. This was reported by beekeeper Enrique Martín Catzín, who stated that the situation jeopardizes the continuity of the activity in the town.

"The price of honey has fallen to 24 or 25 pesos per kilo, and sometimes it reaches 34 or 35, but it is far below what it should be worth. We do not work with chemicals, we offer natural honey, but people do not pay what it is worth," explained the producer.

Currently, around 25 beekeepers remain active in La Presumida, including several elderly individuals who, despite the difficulties, continue with the work as a form of livelihood.

"We are several here in the town who, until now, have not given up; there are even five or six elderly people who continue because they like the countryside and beekeeping," expressed Martín Catzín.

The interviewee detailed that production costs have skyrocketed: a bag of sugar, which is used to feed the hives during the critical season, reaches up to 345 pesos, forcing producers to go into debt to maintain the activity.

"I feed with sugar, with milk, even with pumpkin candy that I prepare for the bees, but everything becomes more expensive and the honey does not go up in price," he indicated.

In addition to the economic difficulties, there are plagues, primarily the varroa mite and the beetle, which have affected the apiaries for several years and have not been eradicated.

"They are mites that have practically come to live in the hives. They are controlled, but not eliminated," he commented.

Despite this outlook, Enrique Martín assured that he will continue working alongside his family, as beekeeping, although not very profitable, has been his way of life.

"We are not giving up, we continue day to day, even if we don't profit. With beekeeping, we support the family, even if it is with the little it provides," he concluded.