In Australia, farmers represent 6.4% of all beekeepers but own 40.5% of bee colonies,…

In Australia, farmers represent 6.4% of all beekeepers but own 40.5% of bee colonies, producing 64.4% of the country's commercial honey. In the U.S., there are approximately 1,500 professional beekeepers, making up about 1% of the total number of hobbyists, yet they contribute up to 50% of the nation's honey production, according to V.I. Lebedev and L.V. Prokofyeva (Journal of Beekeeping, No. 8, 9; 2005). N.N. Smirnov reported that in 2004, Russia harvested 50,000 tons of honey, with an average consumption of 1 gram per person per day. In contrast, China produces 100,000 tons of honey, selling it to Europe at €1.3 per kilogram, while Central Asian countries offer honey locally for 25 rubles per kilogram. Without addressing effective honey trade organization, Russia's accession to the WTO could severely impact domestic beekeeping (Journal of Beekeeping, No. 7, 2005).