With its tropical climate it may seem like summer all year round in Cambodia. Small wonder then that it is a paradise for many species of bees: social, solitary and stingless. Yet there is no tradition of formal beekeeping, while neighbouring countries like Vietnam and Thailand are already significant honey producers.
A great deal of interest is now being shown in keeping bees in Cambodia due to the tremendous success of this industry in Vietnam, which has identical ecological conditions to some provinces in Cambodia and the very high price ( circa USD 20/kg ) of pure natural honey in local markets.
Generally, most of the honey available in Cambodia is from wild sources gathered from Apis cerana, florea, and dorsata bees, native to the region. All three native species can be significantly assisted by provision of forage trees and understory which have additional collateral benefits to humans. The enhancement of native bee populations provide enormous benefit to humans due to pollination of crops.
The European honey bee, Apis mellifera and it’s subspecies are very well adapted to tropical Asia with appropriate terrain, floral sources, and the ability to move the bees seasonally. The presence of the parasitic Varroa mite means A. mellifera is unable to become an invasive species.
The range of expected surplus for an average well managed colony can be expected to be circa 50 KG per annuum.
