Mexico’s Honey Revolution: Empowering Quintana Roo Producers

The federal government of Mexico, in conjunction with Mexican Food Security (Segalmex), Diconsa, and Liconsa, S.A. de C.V., has launched a new initiative to support honey producers in Quintana Roo, with a particular emphasis on smaller operations.

The announcement was made by María Luisa Albores González, the general director of Segalmex, Diconsa, and Liconsa, during a press conference led by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. Albores González discussed the president's 66th commitment to the people of Mexico, which focuses on providing food for wellbeing.

Albores González explained that the plan involves merging Segalmex with Diconsa stores, which currently number 24,516 across the country and distribute basic food products to Mexican families. The initiative will initially concentrate on three key products: cacao, coffee, and honey. For honey, the plan is to collect directly from small producers and beekeepers, focusing on the regions of Yucatán, Quintana Roo, and Campeche.

She noted that honey consumption in Mexico is currently quite low, with an average of 200 grams consumed per person annually. Albores González stressed the importance of promoting honey consumption for the health and wellbeing of the population.

Addressing the challenges that producers face in marketing their products, Albores González stated that the main issue is that producers often lack the means to negotiate directly. The Food for Wellbeing plan aims to help small producers connect directly with consumers. She emphasized that honey, coffee and cacao are emblematic products that not only benefit producers, but also play a crucial role in ecosystem conservation. She concluded by saying, "When we talk about beekeeping, we are talking about taking care of bees, which represents social and environmental justice for the Maya beekeeping communities."