Starting a bee farm requires some initial investment. In addition to bees and equipment, you need to consider ongoing expenses like feeding and caring for bees, honey extraction and processing. Depending on location and operation size, you may need insurance and licenses.
A single new hive may cost about $150. Starter kits with bees, boxes and gear can cost less. Used materials also reduce costs. Building hives yourself is cheapest.
Healthy bees in a good nectar area can produce $300-$500 profit per hive yearly. But this assumes you sell premium raw honey at fair prices. Lower honey prices reduce profits.
Besides honey, beeswax, pollen, royal jelly and propolis have value. Providing commercial crop pollination also increases income. With only honey sales, bee farming profits are limited.
Expanding number of hives boosts profits. After 3 years, aim for at least 100 hives. More hives mean more income and growth funding from retained business earnings.
Expanding the number of hives boosts profits. After 3 years, aim for at least 100 hives. More hives mean more income and growth funding from retained earnings.