Industry: Honey
Gross value of production |
$1 million |
Number of growers |
10 |
Number employed |
20 |
Seasonal Employment |
10 |
Current annual production |
60 tonne |
1. Description of Product:
Honey for domestic and export markets.
An often overlooked function of bees is the pollination of a variety of horticultural crops in this region.
2. Location of the Industry:
There are 7 growers located in the Oxley, Wangaratta, Ovens River area, 2 in the Benalla area and 1 at Chiltern. There are many small 'backyard' producers in the region.
3. Employment and Labour Requirements:
a. Number of Producers:
This is an industry which requires a strong commitment of labour. Each farm unit comprises a husband, wife or partner team, for year round activity, and during production periods casual labour is required.
b. Number Regularly Employed:
20
c. Harvest Requirements:
An extra 10 people are employed for a variable period during the year.
4. Annual Production:
60 tonne of honey is produced by 10 prominent producers, although there are a much larger number of people keeping bees in the region and contributing to production for local consumption. Domestic consumption of honey is approximately 16,000 tonnes per annum. Australia produces 26,000 tonnes of which 9500 tonnes is exported.
5. Value of Product:
Gross value of production to each grower is approximately $90,000 - 100,000 pa, conservatively estimated.
6. Production Trends Over the Next Five Years:
a. Projected:
1. There is no anticipated increase in production in this period as all growers are producing to maximum and 80% of growers are approaching retirement age.
2. Expansion of this industry depends on the development of export opportunities and new growers entering the industry.
3. However, current export initiatives from within this region do provide significant potential for expansion of this industry.
Extracted from the Bright Report
