Honey is among the most popular sweet products worldwide. The fact that it’s a natural product has made it more popular in recent years. Both retail and B2B sales of raw honey have increased as a growing number of consumers look for organic alternatives to processed sweets. That being said, honey should be consumed in moderation as it is high in calories. The increased consumption of honey in recent years has created multiple business opportunities. A growing number of confectionery manufacturers include honey in their recipes. Honey-flavored soft drinks, spirits, beer, and other beverages are also on the rise. In this post, we’ll share more about the ways to start a company in the honey industry as well as some potential ideas for a honey business. If you’re interested in the sugar, honey, and sweeteners sector, make sure to read our articles on artificial sweeteners and where to buy wholesale sugar.
Key takeaway: Bee products like honey and beeswax have become increasingly popular because of their organic origin. That’s why starting a honey business can be a profitable endeavor.
5+ Honey Business Ideas
Various types of businesses can use honey to improve their products or services. For example, a spa center can offer honey massages while a gift shop can sell artisan and locally-made honey to tourists. Below we’ve shared a few honey business ideas that primarily revolve around sales of honey and other bee products.
Honey Production and Beekeeping
Naturally, starting a bee farm is one of the most common honey business ideas. Beekeeping requires a fairly small initial investment and has medium upkeep costs. However, some people might be unwilling to work directly with bees. In order to create a successful honey production business, you need to establish good sales channels on online platforms like Amazon and physical locations like farmers’ markets. You can also sell wholesale honey to distributors or to businesses in the restaurant industry.
Honey-Based Products
A growing number of consumers prefer cookies or other sweets that contain honey instead of processed sugar. That’s why a manufacturing business that makes products like honey granola bars or honey-based drinks can be profitable. The main disadvantage of such businesses is the high cost of manufacturing and packaging equipment. Although most of these products can be easily prepared at home, in order to scale operations, business owners need to invest in machinery. This type of honey business is a great option for people who already make their own honey.
Skincare and Beauty Products
Face masks, soaps, and moisturizers are just some of the skincare products that can be made with honey. Beeswax can also be used to make lip balms and other beauty products. The popularity of natural products has the potential to drive sales to a honey business that makes or sells honey-based beauty products. Since the beauty and wellness niche markets are very large, this business can easily grow into other sectors such as sales of supplements, immune boosters, and digestive aids.
Distribution of Honey and Bee Products
Multiple businesses purchase honey, bee products, and other sweet food additives in bulk. That’s why it can be very profitable to start a business that sells bulk sugar, honey, and zero-calorie sugar substitutes. In recent years, stevia and erythritol artificial sweeteners have become very popular. That’s why businesses that specialize in the wholesale distribution of honey can also benefit from offering sugar alternatives as well.
Other Honey-Themed Businesses
There are various other honey businesses that are worth exploring. Here are a few ideas to consider.
- Making and selling beeswax candles;
- Organizing honey workshops and classes that teach about beekeeping and the applications of honey and other bee products;
- Opening a honey-themed coffee shop;
- Selling boutique and artisan honey gifts;
- Making white-label honey products.
How to Start a Honey Business
Whether you plan to start a bee farm or manufacture honey-based skincare products, here are the main steps to turn your idea into a successful honey business.
- Research the market and create a plan. From regulations and health codes to market potential and demand, there are various things that should be planned and considered before starting a honey business.
- Find suppliers. Whatever the type of business you plan to start, you need reliable suppliers. Make sure to negotiate affordable wholesale prices.
- Marketing is key. Whether you plan to start a bee farm or a honey-themed coffee shop, you need to craft a proper marketing strategy. Pick the right marketing channels and start advertising. Benefit from innovative marketing techniques to increase sales and achieve high ROI.
- Scale your honey business. Every business needs to scale and grow. That can be done both vertically and horizontally. Don’t be afraid to grow to other products, services, and new markets.
- Adapt. In the past, there were no sweet alternatives to honey and white sugar (except maybe brown sugar). However, retail and wholesale sales of zero-calorie sweeteners have changed the market dramatically. Make sure to adapt to changes in demand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Honey Businesses
From tips on how to sell sugar to advice on calculating the cost of goods sold for your business, there are plenty of useful resources on BlueCart’s website. Below you’ll find the answers to some common questions regarding starting a honey business.
Are Honey Businesses Profitable?
In recent years, a growing number of customers have switched to organic and eco-friendly products. As honey is perceived as a natural product, there’s great potential for profitability in starting a honey business. Honey-themed businesses such as gift shops, cafes, or subscription boxes can easily market their products. Honey skincare and beauty products can be very profitable, especially if they follow the latest trends in the sector. Beekeeping and honey production businesses have high profit margins as they require a fairly small initial investment. Furthermore, maintenance and upkeep costs are not very high either.
How Big Is the Honey Market?
Currently, the size of the global honey market is estimated to be around 10 billion dollars. That makes it a fairly small part of the broad food market but a relatively big part of the sweet food sector. The market size is expected to grow in the upcoming years. The driving factors for growth in this sector include the increased demand for organic and raw honey by consumers. Artisan and gourmet honey products that have high profit margins and added value are also on the rise. Sales of royal jelly and beeswax have also helped the growth of the global honey market.
What Are the Trends in the Honey Market?
One of the biggest trends in the honey industry is the rising demand for organic and raw honey products. From bakery businesses to manufacturers of beauty products, various companies and consumers look for sustainable and minimally processed honey. Infused honey is another popular trend in the US. Sales of spiced and herbal honey have increased in recent years as they’ve become high-demand products in the specialty food sector. The switch to eCommerce can be seen in the honey market as well. A growing number of honey producers and sellers have increased their sales on social media or third-party platforms such as Amazon.
BlueCart: The All-in-One Platform for Wholesalers
Whether you’re looking for a marketplace to sell honey in bulk or you wish to find wholesalers, BlueCart is the right place. Our platform is an intermediary between businesses that purchase in bulk and wholesalers in various fields. From specialized suppliers of wholesale honey to broadline distributors, various wholesalers offer their products on BlueCart’s marketplace. Furthermore, thanks to our solutions, both buyers and sellers can make the bulk ordering process easier. Schedule a free demo and see why BlueCart’s wholesale ordering software is the one-stop shop for your business!