Drought Cuts Quintana Roo Honey Production by 40%

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Drought has cut honey production in Quintana Roo by roughly 40% this year, forcing beekeepers to contend with lower incomes and a tougher market, according to the state’s Honey Regulatory Council.

The council, known in Spanish as the Consejo Regulador de la Miel, said the harvest from February through mid-June fell far short of expectations because of a lack of rain. Producers had hoped to turn out between 2,500 and 2,800 metric tons of honey in 2026, but ended up with only about 1,500 to 1,680 tons — just 60% of the projected target.

Scarce rainfall reduced flowering across the region, limiting the nectar available to bees and sharply cutting output. At the same time, the average sale price dropped to 35 pesos per kilogram this year, down from 45 to 60 pesos in previous seasons.

Council president José Alberto Rejón Ortegón said the weak market is hurting both profitability and the ability of beekeepers to buy increasingly expensive supplies. “For one season, producers need 10 to 15 hives at about 600 pesos each, plus protective gear that costs around 1,500 pesos,” he said. “All of this creates a chain of economic problems for beekeepers.”

In response, the council is preparing a strategic alliance with private companies and cooperatives that is expected to start in 2027, aiming to improve honey sales and open new markets. Rejón Ortegón said the plan is meant to strengthen the honey value chain, improve commercialization, and expand the product’s presence in both domestic and export markets so producers can earn better incomes.

The council said it hopes that a recovery in weather conditions, together with the commercial partnership, will help restore profitability to an activity that supports thousands of rural families in Quintana Roo.