Producers grouped in the National Beekeepers Movement of Chile (Monachi A.G.) sent a shipment of 3,600 queen bees, accompanied by their nurse bees, from Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport to Toronto, Canada.
This was made possible thanks to the efforts of this group, along with the National Beekeeping Commission (led by Odepa), the Ministry of Agriculture through SAG and Prochile, and in collaboration with the airline Air Canada. This allowed the opening of new cargo spaces for the direct export of honey-producing bee packages.
In this regard, the Undersecretary of Agriculture, Ignacia Fernández, stated that 'this type of non-traditional export represents a tremendous potential for the diversification of exportable bee products that will allow the sector to generate better income.'
It is worth noting that 97.6% of the value of exports made in 2022 (USD $17.47 million in total) corresponds to natural and organic honey, according to data provided by the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa). Additionally, the marketing of biological material (bees) has been increasing over time, allowing for diversification of the offering.
The president of Monachi, Mario Flores, explained that 'through our association, we facilitated discussions with the Canadian Embassy to carry out this reopening. These bees are sent on a direct flight and represent a great export opportunity for us.
Meanwhile, the general manager of the Exporting Commercial and Services Valle de Luz, Luis Álvarez, commented that 'we have been exporting in the range of three to four thousand queens every year, and this year we are already close to 12 thousand.
Not just anyone can enter the Canadian market, and that's where the great opportunity for Chile lies. Our country has a significant advantage, thanks to its natural conditions," he said
The production of biological material is highly valued by Canadian beekeepers due to its genetic potential and the impact that bees have on the quality of our fruit products by providing their pollination services.
After Canada, France and Italy are positioned as the countries that value Chilean bees the most for honey production.