Keep a few hives on a farm, smallholding or big yard, harvest honey and wax, and sell jars locally or to shops.
- Who it suits
Patient, calm people who like being outdoors, are not afraid of bees, and can wait a season for the first harvest.
- Who pays
Neighbours, farm stalls, markets, health shops and bakers.
- What they get
Pure, local honey people can trust, with the beekeeper’s name on it.
- Is there demand?
Supermarket honey costs about R150 to R175 a kg on special, and raw honey about R180 for 500 g (Checkers specials, 2026). Complete hives cost about R1,650 to R2,230 (Highveld Honey) and starter kits about R1,080 to R1,650 (Beekeeping SA). Every beekeeper must register with the Department of Agriculture; registration is free.
- Real examples
- Raw honey in jars at a farm stall
- Honey and beeswax at markets
- Supplying a bakery or health shop
A good sign: two healthy hives through their first season.