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Be careful, fake honey! Why consumers need to pay attention to origin!
The Kempten-Oberallgäu beekeeping association provides information about honey production, counterfeit risks and new EU guidelines for 2026.
Be careful, fake honey! Why consumers need to pay attention to origin!
The connection to beekeeping is very important in Kempten-Oberallgäu. Recently, members of the local beekeeping association successfully completed a ten-hour honey training course at the Schwaben Beekeeping School. This shows the commitment of 233 active beekeepers who together look after 1,466 bee colonies. Nevertheless, they face numerous challenges aimed at the quality and appreciation of local honey.
Honey consumption in Germany has experienced a significant trend in recent years. In 2024, around 85,100 tons of honey were consumed, which corresponds to almost one kilogram per capita. Despite the high demand, domestic honey production only provides 31,800 tons, of which 19,300 tons were sold abroad. This shows that imported honey fills a significant gap, although many of these products should be treated with caution.
Counterfeits and imported goods
However, the problem of honey adulteration should not be underestimated. As merkur.de reports, over 50% of imported honey comes from countries such as Ukraine, Argentina, Romania and Mexico. According to a 2021/2022 investigation, 46% of samples tested had violations of the honey directive, often due to dilution with cheap syrup. Particularly noticeable are the imports from China and Turkey, which are causing great concern among German beekeepers.
In order to counteract the declining appreciation of local honey, Bavarian beekeepers are appealing to consumers to purchase regional honey. This initiative is supported by the motto of this year's Beekeepers Day in Ansbach: “Diversity from the region”. The consumer magazine “Stiftung Warentest” also reports on suspicion of counterfeiting of imported honey and questions the quality, which is not comparable to Bavarian standards.
Droming disaster caused by the Asian hornet
But it's not just the quality of the honey that is at risk. The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina), which is increasingly appearing in German regions, represents a new threat. Nests were recently removed in Ulm and Biberach, worrying beekeepers. These insects are not only annoying, they also endanger honey bees, which depend on an intact environment. Bavarian beekeepers are committed to taking the threats posed by such invasive species seriously.
To address the challenges and dangers, many beekeepers take measures to encourage respectful treatment of bees. This includes not only further training, but also attention to the importance of flowering meadows, which are essential for the survival of the bee population.
The new EU directive from 2026, which requires precise indications of origin on honey labels, could help create transparency and increase trust in local products. Consumers should make sure to support tested and sustainable products from the region in order to promote local beekeeping and thus strengthen local economic cycles.
Overall, it is clear that beekeeping faces major challenges, but promising steps are being taken towards sustainability and quality. Buying local honey is more than just a treat - it's a support for our local beekeepers.