With an annual honey consumption exceeding one kilogram per person, Switzerland leads globally

With an annual honey consumption exceeding one kilogram per person, Switzerland leads globally. However, local honey prices are higher. Basik investigated the local hives to understand why. Every Friday morning, Maya Gabioud runs her stall at the Sion market. This Valais resident, passionate about bees, manages 40 hives in Fully and sells her honey quickly. Customers confirm their willingness to spend up to 25 francs for a jar, with one couple stating, “We buy a jar weekly.” Another customer adds, “I consume honey daily, so I buy a jar every two weeks.” In 2025, Switzerland had about 17,500 beekeepers and nearly 165,000 bee colonies, which produced an average of 23.6 kg of honey that year. The Jura canton had the most productive hives, followed by Neuchâtel and Vaud.