Size and scope of the Australian honey bee and pollination industry – a snapshot

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Australia’s beekeeping industry supports far more than honey. The honey industry in Australia underpins honey and hive-product production, while also supplying essential pollination services for agriculture and horticulture, including almonds.

Since commercial beekeepers began contributing to an industry levy in 1962, the sector has shifted significantly. Recreational beekeeping has increased around 10-fold, while the number of commercial beekeepers has declined by 36%. At the same time, commercial operations have grown in scale, with the average number of hives managed per commercial beekeeper rising over time.

Addressing the Data Gap

This report was commissioned to close a major knowledge gap across the bee industry. Without reliable data on beekeeper numbers, hive numbers, production and pollination activity, it was difficult to plan and deliver effective research, development and extension (RD&E)—and harder to target investment where it would have the greatest impact.

By pulling the best available information into one place, the report creates a clearer baseline for RD&E decision-making and helps identify where new data collection is needed. It also supports priorities set out in the RDE Plan 2020-2025.

The Value of Pollination

Honey bee pollination contributes significantly to the Australian economy because many crops rely on bees to set fruit, lift yields and improve quality. Around one-third of the food produced in Australia relies on honey bee pollination, highlighting why the bee population Australia supports is so important to the broader food system. [agrifutures.com.au]

AgriFutures economic modelling estimates crops worth $12.9 billion are at least partially reliant on honey bee pollination, with an economic contribution of $4.6 billion attributable to pollination.

Key Findings: Production, Value, and Challenges

Economic Value

Larger than official figures: The honey industry australia is significantly larger than the official ABARES estimate of GVP for honey and beeswax in 2019 ($147 million).

A bigger role for hobbyists: The report highlights the scale and influence of recreational beekeepers and raises questions about whether levies—or voluntary contributions—should be expanded to reflect today’s bee industry.

Honey Production Volumes

Production doesn’t match levy data: Estimates suggest honey production in Australia is around 37,000 tonnes, but levy is paid on about 20,000 tonnes—showing a sizeable gap between estimated production and what is captured in levy reporting.

Data Limitations

No single source of truth: Official data remains inadequate, and fully authoritative national figures on beekeepers, hives and honey production are difficult to access.

State reporting is distorted: State-based production estimates can be skewed by reporting from large packers, which can appear as “state production” even when honey is sourced nationally meaning state splits are partial at best.

Pollination Dependencies

Limited visibility beyond almonds: Existing data can’t reliably show hive use per crop outside almonds. While crop dependence on insect pollination is known from published literature (often older), actual hive deployment across most crops isn’t well documented. A grower survey would provide the clearest picture, and broker data is largely concentrated in almonds.

Future Industry Outlook

Australia’s beekeeping industry is changing fast, shaped by shifting participation, evolving business models and rising demand for pollination services. This report provides an updated baseline to support smarter RD&E planning, while also highlighting where better measurement is still needed—particularly around crop-level hive use and non-levied production.

For the full statistical breakdown of industry structure, honey production in Australia, and the value of pollination, download the complete report.