A buzz about bees
Move over ma¯nuka honey, there’s a new bee product creating a global buzz.
Demand for New Zealand bee pollen has skyrocketed since the outbreak of coronavirus, with one company saying sales have soared and there are no signs of a slow-down.
NatureBee says sales of its potentiated bee pollen capsules have increased five-fold over the past year as the Covid-19 pandemic drives a shift in consumer behaviour.
NatureBee global consumer advocate Keren Cook said the surge in demand was notable, even in the context of nervousness about the pandemic.
‘‘Based on consumer behaviour, our assessment is that people are looking for a seasonal lift and are finding ways to improve their health and immune response naturally.’’
Cook said products derived from bees had been used for centuries to support health and wellbeing.
Rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals, bee pollen supported energy, immunity, digestion, sleep, hair and nail growth, and
healthy skin, she said.
Unlike raw pollen, potentiated bee pollen has been through a process where the hard cell walls are broken to make the nutrients inside more easily digestible and absorbed.
South Island beekeeper Alistair McLean supplies pollen to NatureBee and said collection was an environmentally responsible, cruelty-free process.
‘‘[Collection] happens before the bees enter the hive.
‘‘The pollen is collected from a small drawer with a slot; the bees go into their hive through the slot, and as they do, some of the pollen falls from their legs into a tray, leaving plenty of pollen on their legs to take into the hive.’’
No bees are killed, harmed or injured in the process, McLean said.
‘‘We focus on collecting during the South Island summer, when there is an excess of pollen, and do not collect during winter. A hive produces around five to 10 kilograms a season.
‘‘New Zealand has no shortage of bees, and we only collect in pollen-rich areas where there is a variety of pollen species. As beekeepers we want healthy and fortified hives, and collecting pollen helps to support that.
‘‘Fortunately it is a simple process that doesn’t disrupt bee activity and supports hive health.’’
September is Bee Aware Month and Apiculture New Zealand chief executive Karin Kos said New Zealand is lucky to have a healthy bee population.
Bees are vital for pollinating native plants, gardens and food crops but face global challenges due to habitat loss, diseases, parasites, pesticide poisoning and the effects of climate change.