Buy Local Honey, Made by Local Honey Bees

The Foundation is proud to join the “Buy Local Honey” initiative, led by the European Beekeeping Association. This campaign encourages consumers across Europe to choose genuine, locally produced honey. By doing so, people not only add a touch of natural sweetness to their day but also help support local beekeepers, and protect Europe’s rich biodiversity.

But let’s take it a step further! If we truly want to support the local beekeeping sector in a sustainable way, we should “Buy Local Honey, Made by Local Honey Bees!” In Malta, choose Maltese honey produced by the Maltese honey bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) means standing behind causes that protect this treasure of national heritage from extinction; such as is the mission of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee, a dedicated NGO working to safeguard this unique bee and its vital role in Malta’s biodiversity.

In Malta, the call to buy local honey carries even greater significance. Choosing Maltese honey produced by the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) means supporting an endemic species found nowhere else in the world. This is the honey proudly featured in the Katerina Trilogy, a creative educational project that celebrates Malta’s National Insect and its vital role in the local ecosystem.

What makes this honey truly special is its direct link to conservation. Each jar purchased supports Maltese beekeepers who are dedicated to rearing only the Maltese Honey Bee, discouraging the importation of foreign subspecies that pose a serious threat through hybridisation. By offering fairer prices for this genuine Maltese honey, the initiative provides beekeepers with a sustainable financial incentive to protect Malta’s unique bee population. A portion of proceeds is also reinvested into the Foundation’s ongoing conservation projects, ensuring that every purchase helps safeguard the Maltese Honey Bee for future generations.

There are other benefits to buying local honey. Buying local helps reduce carbon emissions by cutting down on long-distance transport and excessive packaging. Each jar of local honey has a smaller carbon footprint, supporting a more sustainable and eco-friendly food system. And from a health point of view, consuming local honey made by local honey bees can also help your body adapt to local pollen, which may reduce sensitivity to seasonal allergies over time. Since the bees collect nectar and pollen from nearby plants, their honey contains trace amounts of local allergens offering a sweet, natural way to build resilience!

The European Commission has revealed that nearly half of all imported honey is counterfeit often diluted with sugar syrups, artificial colours, or even caustic soda. This fake honey not only lacks nutritional value but also has no real connection to honey bees. The safest and most authentic honey is always local, made by local honey bees! Don’t hesitate to start a conversation with your local beekeepers; genuine beekeepers are always happy to share how they care for and manage their honey bee colonies with dedication and pride!

By supporting the European Beekeeping Association’s Buy Local Honey initiative, and choosing honey Made by Local Honey Bees i.e. Malta’s own Apis mellifera ruttneri, you are protecting biodiversity, supporting local livelihoods, and celebrating one of nature’s purest gifts.

The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee has been affiliated with the European Beekeeping Association since September 2024.

To stay up to date with the Foundation’s work, we warmly invite you to join our WhatsApp community. The smooth functioning of our organisation relies on financial resources, and your support is essential. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference in advancing our mission. You can help by joining the Foundation’s cause, become a supporter for just €10 a year or make a donation here: Support the Foundation.