Heilongjiang's Raohe modernizes beekeeping with a focus on branding.

On July 22, 2026, a beekeeper inspects black bees at an apiary in Raohe County, Heilongjiang Province, China. This border county benefits from ideal geographical and climatic conditions for cultivating black honeybees. In 1997, a national nature reserve was established to protect this species. Utilizing its unique resources, Raohe has transformed the black honeybee industry into a key local sector and aims to modernize traditional beekeeping into a brand-oriented agricultural model. Currently, the reserve hosts 42,000 bee colonies, 431 apiaries, and employs 1,300 individuals in beekeeping. The total brand value of local bee products, such as honey, royal jelly, and propolis, has surpassed 1.488 billion yuan (approximately 219.7 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Wang Song)