At present our country has 2.200.000 million beehives, distributed among 25.000 producers, and with an annual production of 55.000 tons. of honey. Of that total, 85% is exported.
Argentina is the sixth World Producer, and the third exporter behind Mexico and the United Estates. A high percentage of this honey is clear, which is sought after by the Europeans to cut the darker honeys.
Not only is honey obtained by the exploitation of beehives, but also their derivations, such as pollen, royal jelly, beeswax and propolis/bee glue. The small business starts off with 10 to 50 beehives. The medium sized business has between 100 to 600 beehives, and the larger has between 700 to 1.000.
It is advisable to start off with 10 to 20 beehives. Each of these would have 12.000 bees in the cold season, and up to 80.000 in the summer months.
The amount of bees is strictly related to temperature and climate, as is their life span and production.
The apiculturist's work diveded into two periods during the year. At the beginning of Autumn, the beehives are conditioned for the Winter, and any illinesse are cured, if present; and food i.e. honey and pollen reserves are controlled every 30 days. As of Spring, the bees work feverishly until the end of the Summer.
At this time, depending on the area and climate, the apiculturist will have obtained between 30 and 85 kilos of pure honey from each beehive.
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