Creating A Beekeeping Business Plan

Updated: 30th April 2021

Here are some factors to consider if you are drawing up a beekeeping business plan (and a free template for you to use), whether you wish to become a honey producer, or are wanting to offer a variety of products and services related to beekeeping, honey bees and hives. 

On the one hand, you may be able to earn a living from keeping bees, but like all businesses, there are potential pitfalls.

If you require a loan to help you get started, then you will need to demonstrate to the lender that you have thought about the business in detail. 

Consider things from the lender’s perspective: if you were in his or her shoes, would you loan money to this new beekeeping business based on the plan and information you are being presented with? 

In addition, you need to work through the details yourself, so that you can have confidence, minimize your risks and have a genuine chance of success.

How Can Beekeepers Earn Income From Keeping Bees?

You may have a firm idea already of how beekeeping is going to earn an income for you, but it's also worth trying to think outside the box, and look at offering a multiple range of products (and maybe even services), in order to build your income across the seasons.

However, whether you decide to focus only on being a honey producer, or selling a wider range of product and services, you’ll need to estimate your potential earnings, and add these to your business plan.

In thinking about your business, put a great deal of thought into whether it is something you can start up as a hobby (perhaps whilst continuing with your day job), and build it from there.

As I write, I am aware that some large commercial honey sellers run training schemes whereby you can earn whilst you learn.  As far as I can make out, the salary is modest, but if you are especially keen, it may be a way for you to get valuable experience if that is what you need. 

However, do check first regarding whether or not you are then tied to supplying the company with honey etc for a set period of time, and whether this suits you, and also whether you are happy to supply honey in this way.  In addition, check whether you would have to sign an agreement forbidding you to set up a business entirely of your own.

Some beekeepers prefer to set up small-scale, organic practices, charging a premium for their products, selling directly to the public or specialist delicatessens.

Researching Your Beekeeping Business

Find out as much as you can about the market, products, services, prices, your customers, relevant  law, prior to committing yourself.

Ask yourself the What? Who? Where? and How? Why? questions.

For example (no doubt, you can come up with more):

What?

• What are customers buying, what do they want and are there any unexploited niches you can fill??  Whatever you are selling, are there any legal or labelling requirements or standards?) 
• What should the packaging look like?  (Bottles or jars and labels for jars).
  
  

Who?

• Who is buying your products and how should they be approached, when, and what are their needs/wants? (think in terms of the public, retailers, wholesalers). 
• At what prices are comparable bee products being sold in your area?  Are there many competitors? How much supply is there versus demand? Can you compete?
  
  

Where?

• Where will the customers need to go to buy the products?  Internet? Shops? Market? Where will you reach them?  Would your prefer to sell bulk honey to a major buyer or network? 
• Where will you buy your own supplies from?
  
  
  

When? 

• When will customers purchase from you, and how does this impact your business?  Do you have to warn customers in advance/how long do advanced booking periods need to be, and...
• When will you be paid and when do you have to pay suppliers?
  
  

How?

• How will you persuade customers to buy and how will you generate awareness?  How often will your customers purchase from you?
• How much will it all cost, and how much do you need to sell to create a viable beekeeping business?
  
• How will your product be different?  For example, will yours be the only organic meadow honey in the area, or perhaps the only raw comb honey?
  
  
  

Why?

• Why will anyone wish to buy your products?  Don’t be offended by this question.  This question is deliberately asked so that you think of things from your customer’s perspective.

Having considered these questions, what actions need to be taken, when, by whom and at what cost?

Marketing And Your Beekeeping Business Plan

There are many cost effective ways to sell and promote your products. 

• You can sell directly to the public at the local food market, promote on social media for a low cost.  In some city shopping centers, it's possible to purchase a one day trading permit, and set up a stall selling produce - but check local regulations, especially around permits, food selling, pitch size etc. After that, assess whether it is worth trying out a stand for a day or a few days.
  
  
• Look out for honey festivals, and find out whether you can get a stand to promote your goods and business.  Remember to look into the cost and find out how many people are likely to attend.
  
  
• You can also sell via specialist networks or to major buyers and brand owners, who already have established channels to sell their products in stores.  Such companies may purchase your honey and apply their own label to the product.
  
  
• Social media can be a great way to promote your goods, and advertising can be cost effective - but see what you can achieve without the advertising first!  Remember that you can also use You Tube to advertise goods on the existing videos of other you tubers, to send potential customers directly to your website.  You can make a few videos and upload them to generate interest too, of course!  Think about your message and target market very carefully to ensure you waste as little money as possible.
  
  
• Can you call in favors and assistance from friends, relatives and local business?
  
  
• You can start a blog or website relatively cheaply, and you may be able to generate some free PR with your local newspaper.
  
  
• If you are planning to distribute far and wide, you may wish to get your name out there generally, by teaming up with bloggers, on-line news sources and so on.  Find an interesting angle, something you can talk about in an engaging way.
  
  
• Depending on what it is you sell, you may also consider joining an affiliate scheme, thus harnessing the power of people on the web to promote on your behalf - in exchange for a small percentage of the sale.  Check all the details before you sign up.
  
  
• Remember to think about your target purchaser and the impact this may have on your labelling and packaging.  For example, if you are targeting the gift market, your presentation might be different than if you are targeting the gourmet food market. Don't underestimate the power of packaging and label design! 
  
  
  
• Consider also setting up an online store via Amazon and/or Ebay - this does not prevent you from having a store on your own website.  The point about Amazon and Ebay are that they are widely trusted.  You could also investigate other platforms, such as Etsy.  You then need to explore ways to increase your visibility through these channels.
  
  

A SWOT Analysis For A Beekeeping Business

It’s worth doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) for your beekeeping business plan, as with any other business plan.

Make a list, and decide whether there are actions you can take.  Don’t run before you can walk, or over-stretch yourself, however.

Here are some examples (let me stress that -  examples only!)

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General Administration

This is often forgotten, but.....

• How will you manage the paperwork for paying taxes etc?  If you need assistance, you'll need to factor in the cost of that assistance.
• Remember to keep comprehensive records, and in good order.  File receipts and paperwork.  Take copies of crucial documents.  Take back-up copies of any computer generated admin.
• Have a visible calendar and/or diary to ensure you file any important paperwork on time, such as taxes and any legal documents, to avoid fines.
• Be an organized beekeeper, for example, with an appropriate hive painting system.

More Beekeeping Business Tips

Hopefully you will be able to keep your set up and business running costs to a minimum. 

• With a bit of luck, you won’t be renting property, but if for any reason you must rent space, then try to ensure favourable terms and conditions.  Avoid arrangements that will be difficult to get out of, that demand penalties for early termination of agreements or very long notice periods.  Also, look out for hidden clauses on lease agreements - especially clauses that are easily missed in the body of the test, or at the very end (or both).   Go through the lease agreement with a fine-toothed comb, and check again before signing to ensure no unwanted clauses have crept in to the agreement.
  
• Check the regulations with regard to beekeeping in your area. 
  
• Is there sufficient forage for the bees?
• Keep on top of payments from customers, and be a good customer yourself.
• Have more than one income stream if possible.

 

You can use the  - free beekeeping business plan template a PDF download (please note, it will open in a new window) to help you get started, but ensure that you add any legal considerations applicable to your own country.  

 

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