National Lottery to Honor Bees with Commemorative Ticket in Maní

Maní, Yucatán — Mexico’s National Lottery will unveil a commemorative ticket dedicated to bees on Monday, Aug. 17, in Maní, Yucatán, honoring the ancient Maya beekeeping tradition and the state’s position as the country’s leading honey producer. The ceremony is set for 10 a.m. in the plaza outside the Municipal Palace and will be led by representatives of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Yucatán government, and the National Lottery.

The commemorative issue, part of Superior Draw No. 2895, marks National Bee Day, observed annually on Aug. 17. Maní was chosen as the unveiling site because beekeeping in Yucatán is not only an economic driver but also a cultural practice tied to Maya heritage and the traditional management of native stingless bees.

Yucatán is Mexico’s top honey producer, with 9,983 metric tons harvested in 2025 out of a national total of 60,297 tons, according to the Agriculture Secretariat. The state has roughly 11,000 beekeepers, and about 80% of its honey is exported to Europe and the United States.

The industry supports thousands of rural families who rely on honey and other hive products for their livelihoods. Beekeeping and meliponiculture — the raising of native stingless bees — also help preserve ancestral knowledge and maintain ecosystems through pollination.

In the Yucatán Peninsula, beekeeping dates back to pre-Hispanic times. The Maya developed meliponiculture, particularly with Melipona beecheii, a stingless bee considered sacred. Its honey was used for food and medicine, and traditional management techniques have been passed down through generations.

Today, meliponiculture also offers an economic alternative for rural communities, especially women producers. Federal and state agencies have documented that beekeeping generates income, safeguards traditional practices, and contributes to biodiversity protection.

Bees play a vital role as pollinators, supporting the reproduction of numerous plant species, natural cycles, and food production. Mexico declared Aug. 17 as National Bee Day to recognize the environmental, social, and economic importance of these insects and to encourage conservation.

The commemoration comes amid growing threats to bee populations, including climate change, habitat loss, and improper use of agrochemicals. The Agriculture Secretariat has promoted practices that help farming and beekeeping coexist, particularly through responsible pesticide management.

The National Lottery’s commemorative ticket will not only carry the image of bees across thousands of tickets but also put a spotlight on an activity that keeps Yucatán at the top of Mexico’s honey production and remains central to the region’s cultural and productive identity.