Strengthening Beekeeping Value Chains Through Queen Bee Breeding: A Case Study of Fiji

Beekeeping is increasingly targeted as a means to stimulate sustainable rural development, yet interventions have high rates of attrition. Young queen bees with good genetics are critical to colony health and productivity. However, there has been limited research investigating queen bee breeding methods and agribusiness factors critical to supporting beekeeping industry value chains in developing countries. This study provides a preliminary investigation of practices, production and economic contributions of queen bee breeding business to livelihoods and its importance in supporting the beekeeping sector in developing economies using Fiji as a case study. Thirty‐eight percent of queen bee breeders in Fiji completed questionnaires. Limited willingness among beekeepers to evaluate and pay more for quality queens, access to queen breeding training, appropriate extension materials and technical skills were major impediments to growth. Queen bee sales were increasing by an average of 155% per annum, and the average contribution to household income from queen bee sales in 2020 was FJD 3980.00 (USD 1781.00). At 33% queen replacement per annum, 5402 queen bees would be required, worth FJD 270,100.05 (USD 181,639.00) annually. Understanding market demand and willingness to pay, as well as training and educational programmes for beekeepers, may facilitate more profitable beekeeping businesses. Further research is needed to understand the agency, relations and structures influencing women’s involvement in and benefit from the queen bee breeding sector. Research and development interventions should not overlook the importance of the role of the queen bee rearing businesses in supporting productive and resilient beekeeping industry value chains and sustainable rural livelihoods.