Honey producers live with bee abandonment and containers stalled in ports

Brazil produced 64.2 thousand tons of honey in 2023, a figure that positions it as one of the world's largest producers. However, international sales are under threat because the United States, the main buyer of the national product, announced 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports that are set to take effect on August 1st. According to the coordinator of Rota Mel Pampa, Aldo Machado, around 82% of the honey produced in the country in 2024 was directed to the North American market. According to him, more than 100 containers with the product are currently being returned or are stopped at ports awaiting extension of the deadline or postponement of the tariffs. "For the producer, the impact will be very large because, in the next harvest, if they cannot find new markets or lower this taxation, this honey will fall below cost price. So there are many beekeepers who should already be preparing for the next harvest, are no longer investing, are simply abandoning the bees, leaving them adrift ...