Farming and growing

Beekeeping and selling honey

Keep a few hives on a farm, smallholding or big yard, harvest honey and wax, and sell jars locally or to shops.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

To startR3 000 to R15 000
First randabout 8 months
WhereIn person
Effort Some skill needed

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Patient, calm people who like being outdoors, are not afraid of bees, and can wait a season for the first harvest.

In South Africa: Good in rural areas and on smallholdings; check municipal rules in towns.

What you need

A phone is enough to start
Works on everyday data
No camera needed
No cold selling
At least 3 hours a week · age 18+

The money

What it can earn

Pocket money
A top-up
A second income
Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R150 to R300 per kg

Supermarket honey sells for about R150 to R175 a kg on special, and raw honey about R180 for 500 g (Checkers, 2026). Local raw honey can sell higher; check farm stalls near you.

Costs to plan for

Start-up: R3 000 to R15 000
Every month: Jars and labels, protective gear, transport, replacing frames.
Payment fees: Cash, QR or EFT.
Margin: Good once hives are established.

How it is paid: Honey by the jar or kilogram; wax, candles and swarm removal as extras. Our viability score for it: 53 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

1
Test it cheaply Before you spend
- Spend a day with a local beekeeper or association before buying hives
- Ask two farm stalls what local honey sells for
- Success signal: two healthy hives through their first season
2
First week Days 1 to 7
- Find a beekeeping association or mentor near you
- Choose a safe spot away from neighbours, paths and animals
- Download the Department of Agriculture registration form
3
First month Days 8 to 30
- Register as a beekeeper and buy one or two hives
- Buy a suit, gloves, smoker and hive tool
4
By three months Days 31 to 90
- Inspect hives every two weeks and write down what you see
- Design a simple jar label with your name and area

A new colony usually needs a season before there is honey to sell. First income usually takes 90 to 365 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Beekeeping and selling honey: your step-by-step start

18 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Neighbours, farm stalls, markets, health shops and bakers.

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.

Raw honey in jars at a farm stallHoney and beeswax at marketsSupplying a bakery or health shop

Getting customers

Farm stalls, markets, WhatsApp orders and local shops.

Word of mouth and referralsListing on online marketplaces (Takealot, Bob Shop, Etsy, Teacha!)Partnerships with other businesses

Risks and rules

Watch out for

Stings and allergic reactions: wear protective gear and keep an allergy plan
Bee diseases such as American foulbrood: register, inspect hives and follow the control measures
Theft and vandalism of hives: keep them on secure land with the owner’s permission

Competition: Moderate; local and raw honey sells well.

Room to grow: Grows hive by hive, and with pollination services for farmers.

Legal and tax in South Africa

Register as a beekeeper with the Department of Agriculture under the Agricultural Pests Act control measures (free, renewed every 24 months), and follow the rules on moving hives and bee diseases.
Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start beekeeping and selling honey in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R3 000 to R15 000. Recurring costs: Jars and labels, protective gear, transport, replacing frames.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 240 days, and between 90 and 365 days. A new colony usually needs a season before there is honey to sell.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Register as a beekeeper with the Department of Agriculture under the Agricultural Pests Act control measures (free, renewed every 24 months), and follow the rules on moving hives and bee diseases. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (6)

Department of Agriculture: control measures relating to honey bees (first-hand, checked 25 Oct 2026)
Agricultural Pests Act: R858 registration of beekeepers (acts.co.za) (first-hand, checked 25 Oct 2026)
Department of Agriculture beekeeper registration form (via the Western Cape Bee Industry Association) (first-hand, checked 25 Oct 2026)
Highveld Honey: beekeeping equipment (second-hand, checked 25 Oct 2026)
Beekeeping SA: starter kits (second-hand, checked 25 Oct 2026)
Catalogue Specials: honey specials at Checkers (2026) (second-hand, checked 25 Oct 2026)

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